Haunted

[Seer]

<< a slow, drifting first person perspective tour of the cosmos.>>

<< Fade to black. Next visual is an slow drifting aerial view of the icy, hellish dimension known as LIMBO.>>

<< this curious, if not terrifying realm exists "outside" of the bounds and constraints of perceived time and space. The realm itself is filled with mysteries and horrors, as the Six have seen but there is one aspect of Limbo that has become an intregal part of of The Six's lives for better and at times for worse...much worse. The stepping discs.>>

<< From the center, the mainstream of time and space as it passes and is perceived in the timeline of the Six, there extends an infinite expanse of possible times/places. What some theorists call the sidereal string. We know it better as the time stream, since we watch a young woman by the name of Spellbinder, whose most basic mutant power is telepathic control over temporal/spatial portals known as "stepping discs", which originate from the mysterious pocket dimension known as "Limbo", a place that is also under the dominion of this woman.>>

<< Few people, whether normal baseline or superhuman or something else, are aware of the infinite concept of the timestream, much less able to access it in any conscious way.>>

<< For someone like Spellbinder who can? The possibilities are TRULY endless. This can be a good thing, a bad thing, or utter damnation, as The Six have seen in each case.>>

<<We've followed The Six through hundreds of stepping discs, traveled to the ends of Earth, of more than one Earth many times. But those were all planned & controlled jaunts across the sidereal string.>>

<< through black smoky mists and with a flash or two of jagged lightning bolts from the volatile skies of Limbo, we arrive at The Summit, the largest, mightiest mountain in this realm of infinite expanse. The ONLY thing that seems to challenge the endless heights of the skies and indicate that somewhere far...FAR below...there is actually "ground".>>

<< From the very form of the Summit is etched a large, gothic castle that has historically been home to the one who holds sway over the realm. In mainstream time, that is Spellbinder.>>

<< A lingering view of this gothic structure before we zoom inside into the haunting, eerie interior.>>

<< It's a place The Six have been manytimes for many reasons. Now that we're here again, Let's throw caution to the wind and do something that Ororo would warn us never to do. What few of even the most powerful foes of the Six would even entertain.>>


<< It's always good to watch. But remember that when you're too busy watching events in a place like the time stream and not watching your own step, you could find yourself screaming...or worse.>>


<< Let's take an unordered step and...>>

<< at that moment in full frontal view, a STEPPING DISC randomly opens.>>

<< fall into a disc!>>

<< the wild, fluid flowing phenomena that is the time stream. or at least an artful perception of it. falling through it for what fills like a prolonged wild ride at an amusement park, we actually travel to another time and place in the twinkling of a soceress' eye. the speed of thought.>>

<< Earth. United States. New York. Westchester County, Rye Brook village the posh, affluent suburb just outside of New York City not at all far from another wealthy, exclusive town known as Larchmont. A place that is decidely more tranquil than its mega metropolitan neighbor NYC. People allow themselves to believe their money guarantees their safety.>>

<< It's early autumn and October 30th and we see the community is fully engaged in celebrating the upcoming seasonal holiday known as...Halloween.>>

<< It's early evening, about 5:30 PM. There's a a breeze, a tiny hint of mist and the skies are a bit gloomy, as if it might rain. through the beautiful, posh neighborhoods amongst the falling colored leaves and inventive, festive and in some cases, peculiar decorations on various homes, lawns and elsewhere, we rest our view on on the road, as a black lexus slowly drives down the road.>>

 

[Artemis]

Cypress Pond

:: inside the black Lexus was Alycia Barnett. A seasoned and accomplished, ARMED P.I. who specialized in surveilance, information gathering and personal protection. She had prooven track record and managed to establish strong , deep ties with law enforcement from the local level all the way to state govt. She had very advantageous connections in many areas of business in New York City and at the state level::

:: But curiously, nearly 20 years ago, she retired from any possible future clients and assignments. She was commissioned on a very lucrative, personal client's payroll for an INDEFINITE period of time and the pay was such, that even if Alycia werent the pro she was...she'd be a FOOL to have passed it up. Still, that kind of gig doesnt happen hardly EVER even for the MEN in the field who considered themselves better or superior to her because of her gender. But hardly ANYONE knew the details of her retirement or what she'd been doing on her indefinite assignment.::

:: She'd dropped off the public radar significantly, becoming rather reclusive. She lived peacefully among her neigbors , most of whom she felt were soft, sloppy and careless, but many of them were intimidated by her aloof nature.::

:: coming down a side street, the gray skies outside churned a bit and thunder rolled and rumbled while simultaneously inside her vehicle, Mr. Sandman by the Chordettes begins to play. Her hazel eyes dart to the digital display of the xm radio and a slight smile flashes over her normally stoic face.::

:: rounding the corner to her block on Cypress Pond, the flash and gleam of a really large kitchen knife registers in her peripheral vision and she quickly turns to her left.::

:: A woman, a yong mother, on her large front lawn with 3 excited young children gathered around a table. The woman exuberantly STABS a large pumpkin that's sitting on the table as she begins carving out the jack o'lantern, to the children's delight. Alycia rolls her eyes and drives on slowly, taking in the various decorations set out by the residents of the block, seeing children outrunning about at dusk while parents and neigbors gather to talk, gossip etc. She can hardly understand why there's so much fuss over this trite seasonal holiday.::

:: finally she makes her way to her house on the block. a large, and impressive looking dwelling, as to be expected for a resident in this exclusive suburb of NYC. She's not "From here", she didnt grow up here and even at her best, she probably wouldnt be making a hgh enough annual take home to afford this kind of real estate but again, her payroll was as deep as it was unusual & long standing and for various reasons, She settled here, one of those being that NO ONE would readily imagine her living HERE of all places. It was kind of like hiding in plain sight and though Alycia had become rather reclusive, she still had to venture out for various things. Better to do it amongst people who are too self absorbed and preoccupied to get in her way or pose a real threat.::

:: As Mr Sandman reaches its breakdown, Alycia turns off the ignition and exits her vehicle, no parked in the driveway.::

:: her raven black hair flows a bit in the autumn breeze as she stands. She's wearing a sleek outfit with high heeled boots.::

:: Cutting across that section of her lawn , she makes it up the walkway, sifting through her purse for her keys. Normally she'd have them out. She's got a routine and its one that's very established but she's been distracted today. At the front door, she almost MISSES the fact that her porch light is damaged and shatterd! broken glass crunches under her high heeled boots.::

....

What the hell??

:: she looks rather pissed::

There isnt anyone around HERE stupid enough to try pranking my property, much less DAMAGE...

:: the breeze shifts and causes the door, also damaged to move just enough to show it's ajar.::

ahh great.

:: slapping her thigh with her hand as she looks up and exhales with annoyance.::

alright. so someone is feeling brave, probably desperate too and decides to try my house. well, they aren't gonna like ME being home.

:: looking perturbed.::

But first...

:: returning to her car, she's about to open the door when she catches a glimpse of two individuals behind her in the refracted image on the driver's side window. One of them in a hockey jersey and wearing a hocking mask!? She spins around with a start and agression, causing the two boys to halt in surprise.

NOT a good idea, KID!

:: Alycia scolds sharply.::

Whoa! Sorry Ms. Barnett!

 

[Seer]

next door neighbor

<< in the twilight hours of this October 30th, Alycia Barnett has returned home to find things not quite as they should be, now very agitated, she's about to investigate further but soon finds herself face to face with a hockey mask wearing young adult and his friend.>>

<< Marcus Cook, son of parents Dorothy and Frederick. Both are doctors, both are over indulgent and rather "absent" when it comes to parenting at least as far Alycia, who is "old school" when it comes to parenting, is concerned. >>

<< Still, they are her next door neighbors and one o the VERY few other black families in the neighborhood. The father is more than a little interested in Alycia, which makes her either want to vomit or laugh and the mother is a social climber. Marcus, is a bit off beat, a creative kid who enjoys anime, hockey and other sports but he's also very impetuous.>>

<< Alycia, in her fequent observations of Marcus had decided that if MTV ever wanted to reboot JACKASS, he would be their best pic for the star. Despite his behavior, he was a friendly young man. His companion, Charles was taller, lean & muscular. He was introverted to begin with, but he always seemed to blush and stammer when in Alycia's presence.>>

<< It should be noted that Alycia was old enough to be their mother, though she hardly looked it and was in far better shape than Marcus' parents. Still, these two often provided Alycia with much needed levity even if they werent aware of it. They didnt know it, but their youth and relative innocence touched apart of Alycia's soul that she thought had died....burn BURNED away many years ago.>>

<< and so, despite her present day reclusive nature, her young neighbors unknowingly provided a sort of..."anchor", one that we all can use at various times in our life, especially when we are tasked with carrying a burden that is as heavy as it is deep...painfull...and at the most private times...HAUNTING.>>

 

[Artemis]

Cypress Pond- between Alycia's & the Cook's house

:: Alycia glares unwaveringly as Marcus lifts up his mask and flashes that big goofy smile of his.::

We saw you coming up and wanted to say what's up.

:: softening her glare a bit, especially now that he'd taken off that ridiculous mask::

Hello Marcus. Charles.

Um....hi, Ms. Barnett

Boys, my house was broken into.

Wow. No shit??

No Shit.

That's crazy. Happening when it's still daylight, especially around here.

Break ins can happen anytime,anywhere Marcus.

You two didnt happen to....hear or

:: shifting her head slightly to the side as she studies the boys and gestures with her left hand::

SEE anything unusual in the last several hours, did you?

Sorry Ms. Barnett. Just all these kids and their parents out here doing this pre halloween stuff.

Hey. We can go and check your house for you!

Whadyamean WE? If you're gonna do some crazy shit like that, I better stay out here and protect Ms. Barnett.

:: Alycia sighed and rolled her eyes as the boys indicated they saw/heard nothing out of the ordinary for this neigborhood full of self absorbed, spoiled people. Marcus' well meaning but impetuous nature showed front and center as he offered THEM to go check out her house. Charles immediately objected and insisted HE should stay outside to "PROTECT" her.::

:: Alycia couldnt help but smirk and clear her throat. How sweet. How foolish!::

Hey, not so fast, hockey puck.

:: Quickly stepping in his way as he moved forward.::

Neither of you are going in there. It's not your responsibility and more importantly, its not SAFE.

:: But then again, was a lone woman doing the same thing any safer? Of course Alycia wasnt most lone women. She was quite capable, competent and physically able to defend herself. But In the time that'd passed , most of which predated these boys CONCEPTION in the womb, she might have forgotten or perhaps REPRESSED one particular lesson ...cautionary tale of facing possible danger alone.::

but....

No buts, Marcus. You're a very sweet young man, both of you. But this is not your call. I'll call it in and wait for the police.

:: of course she was lying. But she couldnt endorse their foolish idea with broadcasting her own.::

Okay Ms. Barnett. But hey, you can chill at my place till the show up. It's getting dark and it looks like it's gonna rain.

:: he had a point. Alycia looked up as thunder rumbled once more. Her raven black hair now flowing a bit more in the evening breeze.::

That's very nice of you. I'll see you shortly. I just need to get something from my car.

:: another slight, brief smile as she watched the two young men make their way across the Cook's lawn up to the porch and inside.::

:: turning toward her car, Alycia retrieves her black LG Optimus . She hesitates as she stares at her house, her front door which is now "yawning" and opened ever wider, beckoning her in a way that would make most other people RUN the opposite direction.:

:: touching the screen with her painted fingernail, Alycia grudgingly does the right thing and calls it in.::

I need a car to 4691 Cypress Pond. B&E. I'm the property owner. Barnett.

Thank you.

:: ending the call, the breeze gusts a bit and some leaves dust up as her hair blows back a bit. she takes a few steps toward Marcus' house but turns back toward her own as the thunder ominously rolls again.::

:: it irritated her to no end that someone had picked HER for their foolishness tonight. violated HER space, HER privacy. How DARE THEY! and how BRAZEN! but then again, in this neighborhood, a unicorn could come galloping down the street and these people wouldnt even realize it.::

:: after a brief struggle on which way to turn, Alycia made her choice. She was going to check her own house. She wasnt some weak damsel in distress. She'd faced down fugitives and criminals, stalked the STALKER and provided effective protection to many through the years. She could handle this and it was her RIGHT to defend her home.::

:: and so, turning toward her house, she goes forward, doing what she had planned to initially::

 

[Seer]

the choice is made

<< It's hard to go against one's own nature, especially when you have the confidence of knowing that nature has availed you much in the way of results and success in the past. But sometimes, we can be too "set in your ways" and as old saying goes..."too smart for your own good.">>

<< Alycia Barnett is hardly what one would be able to decribe as "prey." She was the predator. Often like a female spider sitting in the middle of a carefully spun web. She could handle herself better than just about any MAN on her block, and many in her field even. But the diference between then and now is that NOW, she had become more of an "island" unto herself.>>

<< the bad thing about that is that when you DO truly need help, even if you know enough to scream for it, there may not be anyone close at hand that can help you in time.>>

<< Alycia's tall, slender, feminine silhouette is seen in the doorway of her home. She'd made her choice and any other time, it would hardly seem like such a risky thing but just as the skies outside to be churning and brimming with something uncertain beneath, Alycia's mind...her SPIRIT seemed to be churning with the something...a feeling?>>

<< yes. a feeling that JUST starting to become clear. the feeling that something was terribly WRONG.>>

 

[Artemis]

Inside 4691 Cypress Pond

:: taking her first steps in, the front door "groans" as it shifts in the breeze. Alycia attempts to turn the lights on but to no avail.::

of course...

:: she says in a low tone with sarcasm. quietly setting down her purse on a nearby cabinet and opened one of the cabinet doors to retrieve her "torch" flashlight and a desert eagle pistol that was loaded and ready. She had two. A custom made set given to her as a gift by a client several years ago. She kept each one in different areas of the house...just in case.::

:: turning the torch on and holding the it in her left hand, which is under and supporting her right hand training the gun, Alycia begins her carefull search. For a while, there's nothing. she makes her way into her office.::

:: as she sheds light on the situation with her torch, her eyebrows lift and her hazel eyes widen with disbelief. she is unpleasantly surprised by the sight of an utterly ranscaked office. papers strewn about, pictures that hung on the wall now cracked and on the floor, several file cabinets knocked over, more papers strewn about.::

::whisphering::

fuck me...

:: no none is in the office and as she draws near her desk, she finds signs of exceptional force has been used to bust through the locked false panel on one side of the front. Inside, a fortfied file cabinet that has been TORN open...and now, several folders lay on the floor.::

:: she shines her torch down on the folders and one in particular stands out.::

Victor, Karen

:: the file folder is open, with a picture of Karen Victor on full display.::

:: thunder rumbles outside and the wind whistles a bit as Alycia stands over this open file, staring at the picture of Karen.::

...

:: she seems almost transfixed but soon she snaps out of her stare and sighs heavily, bending down at the knees to pick up the file. examining it closely, she notices that there are a fair few documents MISSING. Her look of sadness turned to one of concern.::

 

[Seer]

darkness falls

<< in the time that passed as Alycia had begun to check her house, she discovered that while most of the main floor remained untouched, her office had been totally ransacked. it looked just as odd as it sounds. of all the places to go for in a house in a neigborhood such as this, the OFFICE is hardly typical, but "TYPICAL" doesnt even begin to describe the bigger picture that looms like a ghost over all of this.>>

<< outside, it is now dark and the skies are just beginning to give way to a sprinkle. the wind has picked up a bit and lightning flickers across the nightime sky.>>

<< inside Alycia's house, the woman emerges from her office, looking pained. is it just because someone violated her home? no, it's much worse and she's losing her fight to deny the forboding feeling overtaking her as she slowly makes her way down the hall back into the main area of the house.>>

 

[Artemis]

inside her house

:: down the hall, taking care to walk on her toes to lessen the sound of her high heeled boots on the hardwood floor, Alycia notices the front door wide open again, "groaning" as it shifts slightly in the wind from outside. She makes her way to the door and closes it back, sure she had done so the first time, but maybe not.::

:: standing next to the cabinet by the door, she bows her head::

dammit...get it together, Alycia! You're overreacting!


:: after tightly shutting her eyes for a moment, she relaxes and opens them, setting her desert eagle on the top of the cabinet, she retrieves her LG optimus again.::

over 15 minutes since that call? this is ridiculous!

:: one of the "perks" of living in an affluent neighborhood was that the police ALWAYS showed up fast. they had little else to do in a supposedly "low crime" area.::

:: holding her phone, Alycia seemed to be breathing more labored as she swallowed hard.::

...

:: she was looking rather torn at the moment. she was. she now had another choice to make. but if she was wrong about what she suspected?? to make such a carless move would be so unlike her especially one born from what someone ignorant to the situation might say was paranoia?!::

hmmm.....

:: still vacillating. compromise the security and anonymity of a client due to a suspicion? not just any client, but the one who enabled her to "RETIRE" from any future public service.::

:: as she struggled, her attention was drawn to the sound of a groaning door. she looked over, the front door was still closed but then she turned around. a distance away, down the hall...the BACK DOOR in the kitchen!::

oh shit...

:: she said in a hushed tone as she shined her torch in that direction.::

 

[Seer]

one door closed, another one open

<< When one endures and survives an ordeal, he or she is forever changed by it and going forward, it will ALWAYS linger in their mind, on some level...that dreadfull question of: "Could it happen again?">>


<< Sometimes the answer really IS the one you first feel or suspect. Even if its too terrifying & shouldnt be thought of.>>


<< Alycia stands, more in the foyer but having taken some steps toward the hall as she shines her torch toward the kitchen at the even more unpleasant discover of her BACK door being wide open.>>

<< the leaves out in the back swirl and fly up a bit and there's a sound of some movement. worse, Alycia catches sight of a passing SHADOW. A LARGE statured one.>>

<< someone is still here.>>

<< all the training and prowess, all the skill, it can't take away basic human instincts, including one of the most primal and powerfull of all- FEAR.>>

 

[Artemis]

Outside and between the houses

:: she heard a sound, unmistakable. she saw movement. a shadow, roughly male and VERY large.::

oh...no....

::shaking her head to the negative, the look on her face said it all. she was getting out of there. her deepest, most hidden FEAR seemed to be more REALITY.::

:: turning around, she walks with urgency, dropping the torch and grabbing her desert eagle pistol as she hurridly opens the door and flees the house.::

outside, it is definately dark, with the skies rumbling and a now steady drizzle of rain falling.

:: next door, the Cook's house. the front door was OPEN. Alycia stopped in her tracks and stared with intent.::

Did he...leave the door open all this time!?

:: shaking her head. she couldnt just LEAVE without checking on those boys. they'd been so nice to her. If what she feared most was happening, they could be targets...just like the LAST time when....::

::FLASH::

20 years ago. The posh suburb of Larchmont. Halloween night.

<< On a street called Windmill Pointe, Alycia had been following and shadowing a young girl. Blonde, curious violet eyes. Alycia had been hired by a client, a parent, a widow, who wanted her daughter shadowed and protected at all times. That evening, Alycia emerges from her place of concealment, walking down the street, just across from the house where the young girl and several other little friends were. Supposedly under the care of a baby sitter. The girl's mother was out of town on urgent business, that's why Alycia was there...because the mother knew the baby sitter just...might not be enough...>>

::FLASH::

<< Alycia thought she'd heard screams in the house ACROSS from the one she was watching. She quickly did a perimeter search. There was, at some point, the sound of a girl, utterly terrified and then a FLASH OF LIGHT. But no one came OUT of the house! But now, Alycia's attention was drawn to the house under her assigned watch. As she drew near, the front door burst open and two young children rush out, utterly PANICKED and SCREAMING. Alycia draws her weapon and rushes forward. Where was HER charge?>>

::FLASH::

<< inside. screams of the girl she was shadowing. up the stairs. She finds the girl struggling for her life, being STRANGLED by a man. A LARGE man wearing a featureless white...MASK!? He's ATTACKING her client. Without wasting time, she takes aim and FIRES. A dead shot to the NECK. He DROPS his victim as he retreats into the bedroom. he should be DEAD! Alycia will make CERTAIN of it. She moves into the doorway and sees him STANDING there.>>

<< without wasting time, Alycia takes aim and FIRES, UNLOADING her weapon. six shots. two in the chest, two in the heart, one in the arm, one in the shoulder! the man is staggered and topples off the balcony, falling over a dozen feet to the ground below.>>

<< looking VERY intense, Alycia's attention is drawn to the whimpering of the traumatized young girl now crumbled on the floor in the hallway. She turns toward her, looking concerned and sympathetic.>>

girl with violet eyes: << trembling>> was...that the ...boogeyman?

Alycia: ....from what I understand.....yes. But he can't get you now. I've seen to that. Let's get you out of here...

::FLASH!

:: present moment.::



SHIT!

:: with her desert eagle in hand, she runs over to the Cook house. up the steps and through the front door.::

 

[Seer]

The Cook House

<< the autumn storm was finally manifesting. so too, was another storm...of FEAR.>>

<< It's okay to be afraid. It's an emotion that crosses lines of race, class and background....even species. its as powerful and PRIMAL as any force imagined. Often when one endures and survives a trauma, the memory lingers, no matter how well hidden and ever present with that memory is fear. >>

<< But while its understandable, it can be costly if one does not have within them, the unique ability to rise up IN SPITE of their fear and do what is necessary...what is RIGHT.>>

<< Alycia Barnett, a woman who was now seeing her wildest secret nightmare quite possibly becoming a reality, was nauseated with FEAR and uncertainty by the time she entered the Cook house, but she would NOT leave these children alone for what she all but KNEW FOR CERTAIN was now coming.>>

<< Inside the large, comfortable home, the woman takes a few moments to compose herself. keeping her weapon out of sight. She shuts the door and walks forward.>>

<< the large flat panel tv is on, George Romero's "Night of the Living Dead" is playing. Only one other light is on in the dim living room and the recliner is facing the TV.>>

<< in the cemetary visiting their mother's grave, a brother taunts his high strung sister while off in the distance, a strange man seems to be lumbering about...>>

Jimmy: They're coming to get you, Barbara!

Barbara: Stop it! You're ignorant!

Jimmy: They're coming for you, Barbaraa!

Barbara: Stop it! You're acting like a child!

<< the eerie musical score of the movie's scene plays as Alycia slowly draws near.>>

 

[Artemis]

House of the dead

:: she'd been here before, indulging the neighbor's request for social time every now and then. but tonight, it felt different. it felt WRONG.::

Marcus? Charles?

:: moving forward with caution. The movie on screen is not lost on her. But tonight of all nights...it hardly entertained. It appears that Marcus is sitting in the recliner, his back to her but she can see the crown of his head.::

Marcus.

:: touching the recliner, it slowly begins to turn toward her.::

I just wanted to make sure you were....

:: thunder, from OUTSIDE crashes and lightning flashes as Marcus finally faces Alycia.::

::GASP!::

: << The young man, Marcus Cook, is DEAD. a Hockey skate EMBEDDED in his face and head. Blood trickles down his face and those eyes that were once filled with energy, mischief and boyish charm, where now bloody red and vacant. This very surreal moment SLAMS into Alycia's visual sense, her mind and her SOUL...BLOWING away any walls she'd manage to build up over the last 20 years.>>

OH MY GOD!

:: Alycia gasps...her face contorts with disbelief and GRIEF as she staggers back in horror. She briefly covers her mouth in shock and shakes her head in the negative as she backs away...her desert eagle now out in full view.::

:: Alycia tries to pull back her emotion...even just a little when she hears something else to her left.::

 

[Seer]

The kitchen

<< as the grim herald of what...or WHO was "coming for her" manifested before Alycia, she heard what sounded like a young man groaning or gurgling coming from the kitchen.>>

<< Charles might still be alive but badly hurt. She had to help him. She had to save him! the way she couldnt save....>>

<<FLASH!>>

20 years ago. Larchmont. Windmill Pointe. Halloween Night.

<< Alycia moving through the house across the street after seeing the children flee screaming. The view is "first person" perspective.>>

<< In the living room, as she searches for the young girl she's charged with shadowing and protecting, she comes upon the body of a young girl, a brunette. Wearing only a man's white long sleeved shirt and some hot pants, the girl must have been the baby sitter, but dressed like THIS? No matter. The poor thing was DEAD. Strangled and slashed throat. She laid on the floor with her legs up on the couch in front of her. The carpet around her deeply soaked in her blood.>>

<<FLASH!>>

<< nearing the stairs, ANOTHER body falls out from a partially opened closet. a young male. shirtless. That answered the question about the girl's wardrobe. He was wearing jeans and barefoot. stabbed repeatedly and savagely in the chest! his body hits the floor with a sickening THUD.>>

<< from the first person perspective, alycia pauses...clearly taken aback.>>

<< a lingering view of the dead young man, then a full 360 sweep of everything around until finally the screams from the memory vision we saw earlier indicates where HER charge was.>>

<<FLASH!>>

<< the present. Rye Brooke. Cypress Pond Drive. The Cook House. October 30th>>


<< there was those two and three other victims from the house across the street that night. the first HALF of that night. Alycia couldnt save them. She wasnt expecting THAT. She wasnt prepared for THAT. But she DID save the one she was PAID to protect. She never forgot those victims...they haunted her...for 20 years. And now, if it's happening AGAIN, if there's a CHANCE she can save Charles? Then despite her FEAR, she will do what she can...what she MUST!>>

 

[Artemis]

Cook house- the kitchen

:: rushing into the kitchen, desert eagle pistol trained and ready, Alycia quickly scans around.::

Charles!? Where are you? Can you talk??

:: moving with caution, Alycia is now by the island. to her right a few feet away where the double doors leading out to the patio. the storm was in full effect now. flashes of lightning illuminate the large kitchen.::

:: inspite of the weather outside, alycia's own heart beat & breathing.::

dont panic. don't panic. keep it together. keep it together.


:: Alycia carefully circles the island, to make sure there wasnt anyone hiding.::

:: across the kitchen on the otherside was a side door, opening to the driveway.::

Charles?

:: there's no sign of him! But she knows what she heard.::

 

[Seer]

Special Delivery

<< as the woman searches for Charles, hoping that he might still be alive and that she can save him, the uncertain silence in the kitchen allows her to slowly pull herself together...>>

<< it's a cruel illusion of a brief respite.>>

<< as she moves away from island, with no sound or indication, the glass of the patio doors SHATTERS as a body CRASHES through with force and slams into Alycia, knocking her down and causing her to drop her gun.>>

<< the gun discharges and slides several feet away while a truly startled and shocked Alycia is now confronted by a badly beaten corpse with a gardening hand shovel DEEPLY lodged into his back and spine.>>

<< it's Charles. the shy but well mannered boy. Now dead with a look vacant death in his opened, rolled up eyes and blood dripping mouth.>>

 

[Artemis]

Cook House- The Kitchen

:: Her red level anxiety was just starting to lower when with her very next carefull step, the sound of glass shattering and spraying caused her to flinch.::

::GASP!::

:: Barely turning her head in that direction, her hazel eyes widen as a BODY comes crashing through, slamming into her!::

OH!!!

:: she's hit hard, knocked back and down, hitting her head on the floor and the jarring impact causes her to lose her grip on her gun. it discharges once and goes sliding a few feet away under the kitchen table::

OW!

uggnnnn....

::crying out with pain, she shuts her eyes. gritting her teeth and inhaling sharply...she's stunned for a few seconds before opening her eyes and being greeted by...::

<< a badly beaten corpse with a gardening hand shovel DEEPLY lodged into his back and spine.>>

<< it's Charles. the shy but well mannered boy. Now dead with a look vacant death in his opened, rolled up eyes and blood dripping mouth.>>

:: exhaling in disbelief....she acts with instinct as she shifts her body, attempting to roll over and quickly pushes Charles off of her.::

ohh...huh....omygod....

:: she struggles to sit up, to GET UP. hardly able to vocalize as she is confronted by this horror....the weather outside is now coming into the kitchen and thunder crashes, followed by a particularly intense strobe of lightning.::

GUN....WHERE!?

 

[The Shape]

Deadly reunion

20 years. 20 long years. Time for anyone to assume anything. But nothing worked quite like the TRUTH.

His form seeming to coagulate with the darkness surrounding them both before he steps into view and the lightning gives Alycia Barnett all the confirmation she needed.

He. Was. BACK.

DEATH has come for her and his name is ADAM.

He stands tall and looming over her. He's black vacant eyes suddenly come "alive" with flickering red irises. He has found his prey.

Now would come the EXTERMINATION of the one FINAL obstacle in what should have been his conquest all those years ago!

 

[Artemis]

Through the Cook house to the front room

:: Alycia blinks a few times as she finally gets her bearings. Sitting up and looking forward toward the now shattered doors. First there seems to be nothing. Then the lightning! and then...::

:: Her hazel eyes widden and her mouth is agape with disbelief::

<< manifestation of the shape. view of Alycia's eyes. view of the shape's eyes. "split-screen" view of both their eyes.>>

Hhhhuh!?....OH.....NO!!

NO!

:: snapping out of whatever stupor she might have been in, Alycia's shock gives way to PANIC! she quickly scrambles away from Charles' corpse and the shape. finally getting to her feet and fleeing from the kitchen completely::

OH....GODTHISCANTBEHAPPENING!

:: she vocalizes more distress and the look on her face says it all. all the feelings and emotions she'd repressed about this were OUT now and as tears flowed from her hazel eyes, she was no longer trying to hold them back.::

:: to the front door! it doesnt open. the locks are JAMED and the door is sealed SHUT!::

FUCK!

:: turnning around, nearly hyperventilating, Alycia frantically searches around the room and her eyes rest on a FIREPOKER by the fireplace. Running over and grabbing it, Alycia's intial flash panic gives way to a burst of adrenaline and resourcefullness that she's been known for. She quickly forms a plan. Knowing that he's coming.::

 

[The Shape]

Pursuit

He tilts his head. could almost FEEL her heart as it thundered against her chest.

Alycia Barnett interferred last time. TWICE. No matter HOW much time had passed because of that, he would not be denied.

She had done well evading him and keeping the secret. She did him a FAVOR by suppressing public knowledge of him. She thought she she had it all figured out.

But slow and steady ALWAYS wins the race...the PURSUIT.

He now had the secret she was keeping. He had what he'd come for.

But TONIGHT? This was PERSONAL and a long time coming. He WILL ELIMINATE HER.

As she struggles to get up and flee, his eyes FLASH with utter MALEVOLENCE.

The massive form takes the first step forward and begins walking in a slow, methodic pace. passing by the kitchen island. the unmistakable sound of a LARGE, SHARP KITCHEN KNIFE being unsheathed from the wooden knife case on the counter is heard. He continues to walk.

He knew where she was going. He knew she would make it difficult just as she had 20 years ago.

He knew that her confidence, and unwillingness to give in, would just make her blood THAT much sweeter when he finally had it on his hands.

Alycia Barnett will NOT get away this time. She may give chase but this time the prey will be caught.

CRASHING through the doors of the kitchen into the dining room, he stops for a moment. The steps of his steady pace played against the weather outside. Now into the living room, where the front door was. he stopped again.

The shape was bathed in an array of thickening shadows of darkness and shimmers of lightning from outside. It was silent. Even the TV was now off. No lights. He KNEW Alycia was HERE in this room. She hid well, but his pursuit of her was PRIMAL He'd tasted her FEAR and would follow her scent.

 

[Seer]

Possible Salvation

<< Whoever said "history repeats itself" will never know how keen an observation that would be many times over in ALL times and places. This moment is no exception.>>

<< The evening autumn storm was the mere accompaniment to the terrifying storm of FEAR that began in Alycia's house and now RAGED inside o the Cook's house.>>


<< Two innocent young victims dead. The woman who had confronted and held off the evil responsible for other atrocities in the past was now left to fight for her life in what was clearly a GRUDGE moment for the shape now pursuing her.>>

<< Alycia prepared for what could be her last stand and now lay in wait to spring her ambush, hiding herself quite well but knowing it was not fool proof against this inhuman form, this predatory evil wrapped in flesh.>>

<< The Shape was in the living room, searching for her. It's a silent but terrifying game of cat and mouse.>>

<< suddenly, a ray of hope? beyond the shimmers of lightning from the storm outside come other flickers, shimmers, STROBES of POLICE LIGHTS! Two squad cars! Their sirens warbling just a bit to herald their arrival and their lights showing for all to see!>>

<< THIS unexpected development halts the Shape's current movements. He pauses. Slowly turning and drawing near a window. >>

<< The officers, one, a tall black man in his 40's in plain clothes and a trench coat, the other, a youthful white man in uniform, a rookie. They in the driveway, right behind Alycia's black Lexus. RIGHT NEXT DOOR to where they are needed more than they will ever know! They could turn JUST now and take several steps and be THERE, where Alycia is about to fight for her life! Where the SHAPE- a creature that is now the [in the minds of the current generation] stuff of urban legend in this and nearby areas is!>>

<< HOPE has away of derailing the mad track of FEAR and the shape knows that. Alycia gave Karen and Morgan hope all those years ago. He stands at the window, silently watching, the lights of the cars flashing and strobing.>>