Board Thread:Writer's Workshop/@comment-25825682-20150513020103

(Note: Formally 12k+ words, but cut it down. Additionally, I seperated it into parts as suggested in the previous review).

I. The Woman with Raven-Black Hair

Upon a dreary evening, while the tide rushed in and out along the barren beach. A young woman walked baring a forlorn stare, feeling the cold, fine sand brush against her feet. She finally halted at the water's edge.

Entranced by the water's reflection, she slowly moved forward. Descending into the murky bay, releasing herself from the world as the tide settled....

Within the month of April, four hours before the sun's peak in the sky. Alexander sat on the bench facing the bright, sand beach, with a glazed look over his green eyes. He leans forward, cupping his hands together with his elbows rested on his knees. Lowering his head facing the ground, his crop-cut, sandy-blond hair dangled over the sides of his fresh face.

Hearing a commotion from the far western end of the beach, he taped his heel against the ground forcefully. “I’m sick of that therapy,” he muttered. “Its n-n-n-” he released his hands and hit the sides of his head with them. “It’s not helping,” he exclaimed. He stopped, lowered his hands and took deep breaths.

At that time, a deep blue colored car drove up into the parking lot behind him. Alexander heard shoes hit the concrete walk, and looked over with a stoic gaze, “Mom, why are you here?”

“So you’ve been here,” she said, sighing with relief. “I was looking all over town for you,” she conveyed, brushing a fringe of her hair aside.

He leans back on the bench, and said, “I always come here to think.”

Alexander's mother crossed her arms, and looked at him with compassion. "Your therapist called and told me you missed two sessions," she stated, waiting for his explanation. Alexander turned his head from her, his eyes planning an escape from the confines of the topic. His mother started to pace on the path, "You know it's necessary to treat your stuttering."

He stood up from the bench, putting his hands in his jacket pocket. “I only missed two sessions, it doesn't bloody matter,” he remarked, turning and walking away from her. Her eyes widened, stunned by his actions.

She shook off her shock, and walked toward him with strength in her steps calling out, "Alexander." She intercepted his path. He stopped and looked at her, annoyed, believing she was going to pursue the same topic. "What has gotten into you? You never walked away, dismissing me," she questioned.

Alexander leans on his left hip and raised an eyebrow. ''Why's she so dead-set on this? It's my business, I want to stop the therapy.'' He looked at her, attempting to understand her side. He closed his eyes to relax and then looked at her, "The truth is, I'm just tired. The treatment isn’t working for me."

“You honestly feel that way, then I’ll call the therapist and cancel the sessions, okay,” she said, putting her right hand to the left side of his face. Alexander wanted to agree, but could not muster the confidence to say it.

Along the drive home, it began to rain lightly. Alexander sat quietly on the passenger side, curled up in his seat and arms crossed like a child. He stared out the window, riding by the 40-acre Mount Pleasant Cemetery. He then looked toward his mother with solemn eyes, "Mom, can we stop at the cemetery?"

His mother looked over at him, and saw how genuine he looked. She drove them through the dark, iron gate hanging grimly from its squealing hinges. Dark trees cast grotesque shadows over the quiet, damp gravestones.

After the car parked, Alexander got out and rushed up the hills concrete path. Stopping near the Viser family burial plot, he looked around for a specific name. Passing by mausoleums, he stopped before a gravestone with angelic figures carved around its surface. The testament reads,

Here lies Eathan Viser, born June 24, 1997-died June 24, 2013

Beneath this simple stone

That marks his resting place

Our precious darling sleeps alone in afterlife's embrace.

Alexander sat on the grass with his knees up, facing the gravestone. "Hey Eathan, sorry I didn't come last w-w-week," he said with frustration. Gripping his arms, he admitted, "I just had to get away from that therapy." He lowered his head, "What would you do in my place," he asked, waiting for an answer from somewhere.

He let go of his arms to avoid bruising them. Looking up at his mother's car, his eyes moved back to the gravestone. He cracked a smile, saying, "Knowing you, you would continue on with the therapy." Alexander exhaled, "See you later." He stood up and went back to his mother's car.

Once in the car, Alexander sat in his seat. "Listen Alex," she said, looking over at him with concern. He looked at her wondering what she was going to say. "I'll talk with your father, and see how he feels about me helping you instead. Sound okay," she inquired.

"Maybe," he answered, shrugging it off and then turned his head away. His mother shook her head, sighing, and then drove away.

The next morning downstairs in Alexander's home, Alexander dressed in a casual outfit of an orange T-shirt, blue jeans and black jacket. He ran down the hall, passing the kitchen. In doing so, he saw something out of his peripheral right view.

Looking toward the kitchen ceiling, he discovered a leak in the corner. Alexander sighed in disbelief. He was going to put a pot underneath it, but then stopped after seeing the time on the microwave. He ignored the leak and left.

Outside his home, the rain hadn't lessened. He did not hate the rain, but hoped it would ease up during his walk. To him Alki seemed like any other place seen before in Seattle. The only thing that stood out to him is the octagonal lighthouse. Owned by the Viser family matriarch Igia Viser, it can overshadow any tourist at an estimated 11.277 meters.

While walking he imagined the first person he'd see at the school is Olemilia. Knowing her by the bright red hair and fair, delicate skin, I should give her back Ulysses since I'm done with it. He puts his left index finger over his mouth and then shrugged. Screw it, I'll give it to her later; she knows I'm good for it.

Later that day, after school lets out, the rain poured down. The students ran hastily toward vehicles to avoid the torrent, Alexander and Olemilia were amongst them.

He waited for her to unlock the car doors, while she wiped her glasses. Once the doors were unlocked, they got in the car. As the car started, Alexander peered out the window, seeing a student come to them.

Alexander made out a messy brown haired teen in faded clothing, come up to his side of the car, "That isn't Arnold is it?"

At Alexander's side window, Arnold tapped on the glass and looked in with his blue eyes, "Could I get a lift home?"

His mouth turned into a slight frown on seeing Arnold. "He couldn't have asked someone else?”

"Alex, it's ridiculous out there," Olemilia objected, looking at Alexander with authority in her green eyes. She unlocked the back doors for him.

Arnold entered like a whirlwind and sat in the back seat, "Thanks, I appreciate this Mili."

They sat in the car quiet as Olemilia drove away. The tension between Alexander toward Arnold constricted the damp air. Her face showed eagerness to ease the tension, “Great match last Saturday Arnold.”

Arnold became radiant, "Scoring that goal was nothing special," he proudly said. "It's the Seattle Sounders soccer camp, I can't wait for." He clapped his hands together, "Then a coach will recruit me and I'll be out of here."

Alexander sat absent looking out the window and made a wishful smirk, can't wait for that to happen.

Showing concern Olemilia asked, "I could help, but isn't it expensive to get there?"

"That's right it is..." He sat back and rubbed the back of his neck, "I'll figure it out."

She looked over and saw Alexander uninterested. An etched smile came to her face and she nudged him. "So what will your project be for Mr. Langley," she asked.

He shrugged and answered, “I figured I’d do it on the Alki lighthouse.”

“You mean the run down tower every tourist leaves town after seeing,” Arnold assumed in a snarky way. “Why’d you pick that of all places?”

Alexander darted his eyes back at Arnold. ''This bloody bugger, what do you care what I pick for my history project? You probably can't even spell lighthouse.'' "The lighthouse has a lot of history in it," moving his eyes back toward the window, "which makes it an ideal history project," he contested.

He picked up on Alexander’s degrading tone, “Well, it makes sense for you to pick it, then,” remarking that Alexander is stuck-up.

“If you want Olemilia you can help too,” Alexander appealingly offered.

“Um,” glanced at Alexander, and then back on the route. “Sure, I guess,” she replied hesitantly with the last words.

Time passed and the downpour became a trickle. Alexander entered his home, dropped his backpack and sat on the floor against the door. His face became sullen, “He may have forgotten what happened three years ago. But I haven’t and I know I never will...”

Alexander had been in a small, dark place with little light coming through the slits. He had struck the wall in front and begged for freedom, but had stuttered too much to be understood. Finally, his way out was opened and he fell from the locker.

Alexander laid there and looked up haunted at the students laughing. Arnold had a sardonic smirk as he and the others mocked him, for having his pants around his ankles. Coming away from the crowd, Eathan’s heterochromatic eyes had widened, seeing Alexander lay there. Glowering at the students, he had gone over to help him up and the two had run away.

Alexander heard water drops hit the kitchen floor, startling him out of his recollection. He stood up and went by the kitchen, seeing the leakage nearly dried. Believing the rains had caused the leak, Alexander grabbed his backpack and went upstairs.

That evening Alexander was in his room working on his history project from his laptop. The TV was on across from him showing the Ch.4 King Five News, the top story being broadcast by the blond anchorwoman.

''Tragic news in Alki this evening a report just in, a body has been found within Elliot Bay this morning. The body retrieved from the water was identified to be the bank manager who disappeared a month ago. Sources tell us she had been caught by the seaweed and strangled herself.''

''The police that are investigating the scene gave no comment on whether this death is related to the disappearances of two more people from West Seattle or not. Though we were told, a set of bare footprints persisted close behind the woman’s footprints.''

''A reporter of ours asked Lt. Xavier Moss, who investigated Eathan Viser's death, are these victims more of the killers work or something else. He had this to tell us.''

The screen switched over to video footage of a police press conference on a brusque, dark haired man at the podium.

''There was no correlating evidence connecting the incident to what happened a year ago. We have not yet established whether this woman’s death was homicide or suicide. I will answer no more questions on the matter.''

Alexander's eyes trained more on his laptop screen than the broadcast, however, he did overhear the news story. He shuddered at another victim found in Alki and got distracted thinking of the killer.

Within that moment he heard tapping as if something was hitting a window. Alexander jumps from his seat; his heart beats fast, resembling wing beats of a trapped bird. His eyes darted around trying to locate the noise. He overheard another tap and froze, realizing it was at his window.

Alexander went to his closet with footsteps like a rabbit in the snow. Taking out a baseball bat, he had since he was twelve, he motioned toward his window reciting instructions. Don't panic, just assess what's in the window and react.

The silence felt unnerving to him. Gripping his bat tighter, he pulled back the curtain. Alexander heard the tapping, his eyebrows slanted downward, and he peered through the glass. His eyes soon softened, seeing an overgrown tree branch tapping his window.

"Huh, just a tree," he said, lowering his weapon and catching his breath. Alexander sat on his bed, putting his bat under it. He laid back thinking over the therapy he skipped.

Soon Alexander sat up remembering his unfinished project. Going over to his laptop he sat in front of it, realizing he needed permission from Igia Viser to enter the lighthouse. He started typing the email he was going to send.

On a rainy Wednesday afternoon, Alexander walked up to the Viser manor holding his body. A strong wind thundered down the street, dispersing the rain into a silvery mist. Walking onto the porch, he rapped at the door. While he waited, he noticed how immaculate the Dutch garden is even after the storms this month. It did not seem ordinary to him that a garden could stay virtually unaffected by rainfall.

Before long the door opened to Igia Viser a woman of fair complexion with a piece of her long raven black hair hanging over her left shoulder. Seeing his drenched exterior took her aback at first glance, "Alexander, my word."

Alexander forced a childish smile, embarrassed by his condition and replied, “Hi, Mrs. Viser.”

Igia invited him inside saying, "Come in dear." After closing the door, she retrieved his jacket and put it in the coat closet, “Is your mother aware you were coming over today?"

Alexander shook his head in denial, "No, just a quick visit."

"Dear, if I knew you were coming over I'd have come to get you," she claimed.

He looked at her with disbelief, "You didn't get my email yesterday?"

Fondly smiling, she replied, "I never got into that whole email thing." Igia stood near the Dutch fireplace. “You’re a bit early for my annual Cinco de Mayo celebration,” she quipped.

"I was hoping you could, well," scratching his head, "allow me inside the lighthouse," his lips tightened waiting for her response.

She quizzically looked at him, “The tours are not scheduled until July. Why do you want the entry?”

Alexander leaned on his left hip, “I have to do a project for history class and I need private access to it.” He moved a few steps closer to impress as if his physical presence portrayed his seriousness. “Normally I wouldn’t ask this, but I need the information to obtain the credits to intern at the historical society.”

Arms folded, Igia looked away from him. Alexander stood there somewhat apprehensive, waiting for an answer. She looked back toward him, "I see no problem with that, but it will have to be two days after tomorrow," she permitted.

Alexander's eyebrows narrowed as his gaze shifted over toward the right. He cogitated on why she postponed the visit later in the week. "Oh, that's fine, I guess," he replied. Focusing back to her, he saw an odd insignia on her left wrist, barely protruding out from the black blouse sleeve.

"If you do not mind, there is a favor I need done," she claimed. Igia went over to the foyer bookcase and removed a black, leather-covered book. Coming back to Alexander, she said, “This book needs to be given to Jack. I’ll be too busy to give this to him myself.”

Retrieving the book, “Sure, but why,” he replied.

“A favor to a friend,” she stated, going to get Alexander's jacket. After Igia gave him his jacket he put it on, and then she showed him out. Examining the book, finding a strange lock on the cover, he heard her voice echo in the outside air wishing him well. Alexander waved his left hand back as he walked home.

'''II. The Terror Incarnate'''

On April 27th it was a very dull and sodden day. The tides on Alki beach gushed forth on the sands and not one avian in sight. The silver linings were dim as the clouds thickened. A noise of deep reverberation went through the sky.

Olemilia had driven herself and Alexander to the beach. They walked toward the lighthouse wearing their hoods. Upon approaching the construct, Alexander saw Mrs. Viser conversing with someone under the porch canopy. He sighed deeply and muttered indistinct words at seeing Arnold.

Arnold could make out two people coming up to the entrance and went to meet them. "Hey Alex, y-y-you made it," slapping Alexander on the back in jest.

“Arnold,” Olemilia sighed, putting her hand to her forehead.

Alexander gave Arnold wry looks. Of course he’d be here, the bastard that got all the others to harass me through school. Arnold stood there with that idiotic smirk Alexander despised.

Olemilia stepped between them. "I can explain this Alex, Arnold has been staying with me," she claimed. "The reason he's here is because I allowed him to be part of our project. He just needed time away from his father for a few nights."

Alexander could not believe what he had heard. He knew she wouldn't lie to him about this considering how long they have been friends, but she knew how he felt towards Arnold.

He was ready to tell Arnold off, when Igia approached them and said," I hope everything is all right."

Alexander chose not to make a scene in front of Igia and would tolerate Arnold best he could for now. He forced a sincere smile, "Everything's fine Mrs. Viser."

Arnold put his right arm around Alexander's shoulders, "Just peachy between us, right Alex." She observed their demeanor and then led them to the lighthouse. Alexander moved the arm off of his shoulders and went ahead.

At the main door of the lighthouse, after Igia unlocked it, they all quickly went inside. Alexander, Olemilia and Arnold looked around the Victorian style interior, while Igia locked the door.

They all removed their coats and placed them at the coat hooks. The four of them spent hours in the lighthouse. During that time Igia showed them around and explained the history of the lighthouse.

"On June 1st, 2013 the lighthouse celebrated 100 years of helping keep Puget Sound mariners safe," she stated. "Much of the early lighthouse equipment has been preserved in good condition for the public to view. There is a 4th order Fresnel Lens the same size as the original lens in the lighthouse."

Within that hour the four of them were now in the main foyer. Alexander spotted a unique lantern hung on the wall hook. He focused his phone's camera and took a picture of it. In doing so, he saw a brief glare go by the screen and then the sound of thunder followed. He adjusted his phone's brightness, "Must have been from the lightning."

Minutes went by; Arnold walked a few inches forward and stepped onto a loose part of the floor and called out, "Hey, check out this floor.” Olemilia, Alexander and Igia came over and saw what he found.

Igia did not seem pleased at Arnold as she told him, "I see you found the door to the cellar," politely imploring him to get off it.

Alexander was curious to see all the history the cellar held within and asked Igia, "You don't mind if we take a look inside?"

Igia stoically replied, "I am afraid you can’t.” She went on to explain, “Eathan used to spend a lot of time down there and always left it cluttered. With a faulty lighting and priceless antiques, you might get hurt.”

All of a sudden a loud thud echoed down from upstairs. Startled by the unexpected noise, Igia caught her breath and glanced over to the threshold.

Alexander had dropped his phone thinking a cannon blast fired, but thankfully caught it and said, "Bloody hell! What was that?"

Being equally startled by the sound, Olemilia fixed her glasses. “It sounded like it came from upstairs.”

Arnold, who jumped at the noise and trembled a bit agreed, “Y-Yeah upstairs.” Igia addressed their misgivings with a calm demeanor, "The noise is nothing to worry about. Wait here while I go check." Igia walked away, leaving them in the main foyer.

After waiting close to ten minutes, Alexander felt stagnant waiting for Igia, and wanted something to interest him. “Well, I’m going to take a look around,” he said to himself.

Olemilia smiled at hearing him and said, “Don’t go too far in case she comes back.”

Alexander left the foyer and explored the main floor. He sensed a musty substance in the air as if a malefic omen draped over the hallway, this feeling made his mouth dry. Finding a corridor with a staircase halfway down its path, he concluded, "This place has changed since Ms. Viser took over. It's like a mansion now."

Near the end of the hall, Alexander came across a study. He flipped on the light switch by the doorway and could see a magnificent room with a bookcase against the wall, a sofa and a table with an antique mirror on it. Alexander explored the room, seeing the painted portraits of Viser ancestors.

Near the table, he found a small, framed picture. Picking it up, he recognized the red haired boy, this is Eathan close to his older brother as kids. Putting the frame down, he saw slight gleams behind the mirror. He glanced behind it, spotting a black, obscurely designed key taped to the back.

Wanting to get a better look he snapped it off its tape. He tilted his head a bit observing the queer key, this key doesn't look like any I've seen in books. Believing it to be an antique, he stuffed the key away in his pocket.

Leaving the room, he bumped into Arnold at the doorway. "Seriously, now you're following me," he said, with a scowl.

Arnold threw his hands up and stepped back, "Whoa calm down. I just wanted to say something before you wandered off."

Alexander didn't think Arnold was going to say anything decent, "Well, what is it?"

Arnold looked off to the side, frowning, "Don't blame Olemilia, I begged her to let me come, so I can say I'm sorry for all the things I’ve done to you.” He looked back at him, “I'm actually grateful you tolerated me tagging along.”

Alexander's eyes narrowed. Glancing off to the side, he believed, this can't be true can it. At the end of the hall, Olemilia came around the corner. She saw them and ran toward their direction.

"I wondered where you both got off to," relieved to see them. "Any sign of Mrs. Viser?"

Arnold shrugged, "Nah, she's probably still upstairs."

Olemilia glanced behind herself, "I wonder if something happened. That slam sounded big."

Arnold raised his hand up to volunteer, "I'll go see what's taking her so long.”

Alexander did not think Arnold would find his way back to the main foyer, because of the structure's size. "I can do it. Plus, I know how to get back to the foyer faster."

Olemilia and Arnold agreed and went to wait in the main foyer. Alexander went down the corridor, finding the stairs again and ascended them. Nearly halfway up the stairs, Alexander could overhear a voice talking. He believed it to be Igia, but she sounded softer as if talking to an infant.

What he heard confused him, "... will get fixed and no louder incidents will occur." Alexander's face was quizzical from trying to understand what she meant.

Alexander came further up the stairs and saw her in front of a black door. Her right hand gripped the knob appearing to close it. Igia reached into her pocket and took out a strange, black key. Alexander peered closer to get a glimpse of what was inside the room.

Suddenly, images flashed before him of Alki beach after dusk. A body had been dragged across the sand, while wrapped in duct tape.

Alexander came out of the vision, breathing heavy. A bead of sweat went down his face, he began seeing triplets of everything, causing him to lose his footing and slip.

Hearing the thud, Igia quickly locked the door. She put the key away and went over toward the stairs. Realizing she was in front of him, he hesitantly rose up, “Um, Mrs. Viser.”

She saw his fallen, fever like state and showed embarrassment, “Oh, forgive my delay dear. I’ll be down shortly.”

Alexander wanted to ask what she was talking about earlier, but didn’t want to sound intrusive. "It's okay," he replied, keeping a casual demeanor to portray he saw and overheard nothing. He turned around, heading back downstairs.

Back in the foyer, Igia soon met up with them, "I trust you got everything you needed.” His fever gone his thoughts resided on what caused that condition, Alexander then realized what she said and responded, "Huh, I-I-I think we got enough," catching his stutter.

Noticing how late it was getting from the window Igia suggested, "We should leave before nightfall." Alexander and the others agreed it was time to leave.

Outside the lighthouse, Alexander and Olemilia walked together with Arnold behind them heading for her car. Igia looked up at the lighthouse and then stepped back. Moving her right hand over her heart, she looked down in mourning, turned away languid and left.

That evening, an enigmatic figure skulked around the lighthouse. He used a hairpin and a small knife to break the lock. Once inside the lean framed figure removed his hood, took out a cell phone and used its flashlight to pierce the darkness. "Olemilia would kill me for this,” Arnold said.

He walked over toward the cellar door and crouched before it, "Whatever is down here, though, is going to be my ticket to a better life and away from that drunk at home." He lifted the door and went in.

Down in the cellar, his mouth gaped at the collection, "Man, this place is loaded!" He walked around observing all the antiques. At that time he heard a trickle, aiming his cell phone at the upper right wainscot he found a leak. Ignoring it, he began picking through the clutter for any valuables.

After finding nothing he believed to be valuable, he walked to the end of the room and found a table against the wall with a jet-black cell phone on it, which had a singular insignia engraved on its back. He picked up the device and turned it on. In doing so, the screen came on asking for a password. Frowning at what it required, he set the phone back down.

Crouching down, he sifted through the items, when his cell phone abruptly vibrated. Looking at his phone, he saw a message and pulled it up. A box popped up with a question, "Eathan suffocated?" Along with two answer boxes "Yes," in the right box and "No," in the left box.

Straightaway, he stood up and deleted the email, "Nice try with a joke email jackass.” The email erased itself. Arnold continued his searching, “I should see how much the phone will get me.” Without warning, the cellar door slammed shut.

He jumped from the sound, dropping his phone. Picking it up, shaken, he saw the closed cellar door and hissed, "I can't believe my damned luck." Arnold went to the ladder leading to the door and climbed up.

He reached the door and struck it repeatedly, "Oh, come on!" Unsuccessful, he climbed down the ladder and stepped back onto the floor. A message came in on his phone, he saw it was the same as before. His brow arched inward, "Who the hell is this?”

The phone's light flicking, Arnold hit the phone to fix it, but it shuts off. He looked around the room expecting to see someone, but still found nothing. Trying to activate his phone's light again, he heard more dripping accompanied by grotesque murmurs.

Arnold desperately darted his eyes around, finding no one. Swiftly, he looked up and saw a dark mass hanging over him. Dark liquid melted off the form, Arnold’s stare grew at the sight of it. A head stared down as its clasping, cyanosis hands reached for him. Arnold's distressed scream echoed throughout the cellar and then feebly fell into silence.

'''III. Breaking into the Grimoire'''

On May 2nd, the disappearances have since ceased, but vague uncertainty hovered in the damp air among the citizens. In upper Alki, Alexander rode the bus going to the city district, thinking about the strange book Igia gave him a week ago. After exiting the bus, he went up the street and entered a bike shop.

Alexander approached the front counter and saw a clerk. He signaled him with his left hand, “I’m here for my bike I left here two weeks ago.”

The clerk came over and brought up the logbook on the computer, “Your name is, Alexander Renbauld?”

“That’s me,” he replied. Alexander showed the clerk his receipt on the day he brought his bike in, "The mechanic said it would be ready by now." He gave the receipt over to the clerk. After it was verified on the computers log, the clerk gave the receipt back.

The clerk went to check on Alexander's bike. In the meantime, Alexander looked at the apparel being promoted. The thought of the black book still lingered, he wondered what could be inside such an ominous looking tome. This thought was soon thwarted when he overheard two girls around his age, he guessed, talking about the recent events.

One girl mentioned, that a week ago she had seen her neighbor leave to work. When she came back home, the neighbor was still gone. Alexander rolled his eyes. When the topic changed to Arnold, he tuned them out. Alexander continued his perusing when a sudden whistle echoed.

He reached into his cargo shorts pocket and looked at his phone. A message came in from an unknown source. Opening the message he saw it asking "Eathan suffocated?" with two answer boxes below.

Alexander’s grip tightened around his phone, searching over it confused. He went to delete the message, believing it is a sick joke.

The clerk came back to the counter and addressed Alexander, making him back out of the message. The clerk apologized for the inconvenience. Alexander stopped and turned to face the clerk, "It's no trouble." he replied with a polite smile. He put his phone back in his pocket, ignoring the message.

The clerk explained how his bike is ready, but not here. He offered to deliver Alexander's bike instead. Alexander looked, blinking at the clerk by how helpful he was being. "Uh, thanks..."

Leaving the shop, Alexander walked down the sidewalk. Almost forgetting about that message he received, he took out his phone. Alexander opened the message and went for the delete icon again. However, he hesitated and leaned on his hip. I should answer and save it, that way I can track his IP address later.

Alexander tapped "Yes," and then the message erased itself. Eyes widened, he looked back into his in-box and saw all his messages erased. Whatever happened to the messages he was relieved, but worried about the mass deletion. He put his phone away and continued walking, trying to forget the occurrence.

A half hour went by, Alexander was on the bus heading home. He sat by the window, putting his earphones on. Looking over he saw a child sitting next to his mother. Alexander sat back, looking at the people on the bus and then stared out the window.

The ride made Alexander doze off, seconds later a loud slam was heard. Jolting up, his eyes focused to the front of the bus. Everything appeared the same, so he looked behind him and to the side. No one seemed to have heard the sound or they were ignoring it.

He sat back again, glancing over at the kid hitting the seat with his hands playfully. Alexander gathered the boy was listening to music too. The bus stopped at a streetlight, Alexander tapped his foot to the song. All of a sudden the music ceased and a distorted breath emitted.

His eyebrows knitted close together, removing his earphones. He looked at the kid again, who now sat quietly, so Alexander looked toward his left. His stare fixed on seeing a wraith like face in the window. Alexander's eyes darted around to see if others saw what he did.

No one seemed aware of it; he then looked back and saw a murky handprint on the outside of the window. Alexander got up and sat in the vacant seat ahead, wary of that window.

At home Alexander went up to his room and closed his door. He sat on his bed, running his hand through his hair shaking and periodically glancing at his window. He took a deep breath and took out his cell phone. Skimming through the pictures to distract himself, he noticed the lighthouse photos were missing.

Possibly Alexander should not have studied so much. Honors modern world studies, AP macroeconomics and AP European history are enough to work any brain, and adding in his stress over the project, a person could hardly expect a stable mentality. So maybe he believed, he erased the pictures himself when pulling all-nighters.

He fell back, arms splayed out and gazed at the ceiling. Alexander called Igia to ask permission to enter the lighthouse again. Before he could ask, however, she insisted he come over after tomorrow, sounding frazzled. Alexander looked skeptically at his phone.

He agreed and then hung up. Alexander sat up thinking about the image he saw on the bus and looked at the black key he left on his desk. Unexpectedly, his phone rang. Seeing it was Olemilia calling he answered, "Hello." "Hey, did you visit Eathan today by any chance," she asked.

Shaking his head in refusal, "I've been busy with school work. I'll visit him another time.” He stood up fixing his shorts, looking over at his bookshelf. “I finished that book, so if you want to swing by and get it,” he implied.

"I was on my way over anyhow, I have to ask you something. Talk to you soon, bye."

"Bye," he replied, ending the call. Placing his phone down, he heard a door creak open. Looking over he saw his door ajar. Alexander went over to the door and looked out of his room. He stepped out and the hallway for a reason why the door moved.

At the end of the hall, he saw an open window, went to it and shut it tight. Alexander stood there for a few seconds, his hands holding the window down. He stepped back, hesitantly and then left.

Downstairs, he had opened the door to let Olemilia inside. He returned Ulysses back to her and was going to comment on the book, when he heard a familiar dripping. Leaning over into the kitchen, Alexander flattened his brow, after seeing the trickle from before start up again.

He barely heard Olemilia ask about the book. Coming back into the living room, “Just some blimey leak,” he remarked. “But, yeah, the book was fine.”

She smiled at his appreciation of the book, but soon faced Alexander, with uncertainty. “Listen, the reason I came over was to… Have you seen anything unusual recently,” she questioned. “Like something you saw, but then didn’t see again.”

Alexander leaned on his hip, recalling the face he saw on the bus again. “You could say that, I guess,” he answered, with uncertainty.

She looked away and then back to him, “Last night I was going to call and tell you I’d be here today.” Her eyebrows curved in a bit, “But I saw someone in my phones reflection. I turned around, but saw no one.”

Alexander thought that sounded similar to his experience. Olemilia went on to say, “It couldn’t have been my younger sister, she was downstairs the whole time.”

Alexander suspected it could be the killer, who killed Eathan and asked, “What did he look like,” trying to get a description.

She looked away as if to avoid the question. However, she eventually replied, “He had red hair, but the strange thing, it was hard to breathe at that moment.” Shaking her head in denial, “Whoever it was, I’m going to change my hours at work, to be with my sister more.”

Olemilia departed, leaving Alexander to wonder if what she saw is the same as what he seen on the bus. He trekked back up to his room and sat at his desk. On his shelf the black book laid. It was like a taunting vice known to be wrong. Assuming his key could unlock the book, he used it.

Hearing its tumblers move, he opened it to the first page. Hands trembling as the pages made crinkled sounds. On the first page he read the word Woordenboek, which he assumed has Germanic influence.

On the next page, he found archaic writing in a language he could not decipher. Turning the pages the same text continued. Nevertheless, on the 30th page, he saw a paragraph in modern Dutch text, over an obscure, malefic figure, with an upward pointing pentagram below it.

The image disturbed Alexander, but he couldn't turn from it. He began reading the text.

June 25, 2013

''They need not fear us, unless they harbor a dark heart, a vile heart that targets the innocent. Those who hear may heed my words, I vow that they will not hide forever in the barren darkness.''

For they will be hunted down like the vile creatures they are and pulled into the very bowels of Hell!

Begin van het einde, gehoorzaam mijn ritueel command...

It ends with the script streaked off sharply. Alexander sat staring at the text, to him the page seemed to show some kind of ritual. Suspecting he could get a better understanding if the other text could be translated, he called his high school.

He paced the floor, “Is Jack Langley there?” He looked out his window, “Okay, could you leave him a message that I need to see him tomorrow afternoon.” Alexander ended the call and went to study the book some more.

'''IV. Begin van het Einde'''

The following day at the high school, Alexander stayed after class to talk with his teacher. As he stood up and gathered his things, Jack approached him, saying, “The front desk told me you wanted to see me?”

“Yeah,” reaching into his backpack and taking out the Woordenboek, “Ms. Viser gave me this, to give to you.”

Alexander unlocked and showed Jack the book. He retrieved it as Alexander said, “On page 30, there’s a passage that caught me off guard.”

Opening the book and turning it to page 30, Jack reads the passage and saw the images below it. “This looks like Igia’s handwriting,” he claimed. Closing the book abruptly, “I wouldn’t worry though. The words are just… a chronicle of the Viser families plight centuries ago for their religious beliefs.”

That explanation fascinated Alexander intensely. He seemed to know that it may have a connection to his vision. Wishing to learn more about the book’s content, he soon felt a fever like before emerging. Keeping a reserved demeanor, Alexander left the classroom in haste.

Reviewing the book Jack noticed the blinking light. Stepping out into the hall, he saw Alexander nearing the end of the hall. He stood motionless from seeing bare, wet footprints on the tiled floor form, going down the hallway.

Later, having returned home, Alexander lumbered to the sofa and collapsed on it. Breathing heavily, sweat came down his face. Sitting there he wiped the sweat off his brow and made went upstairs languid, to wash up.

That early evening, Alexander stood under a running shower. He lowered his head to cool off. Flipping his hair back to throw off water, he held his hair down in the back.

Looking at the showerhead, he saw a piece of red hair hanging out of it. Examining the hair with a critical eye, he felt warmness near the back of his head.

After examining his hair, Alexander looked into his palm and saw bloodstains! He trembled and vigorously felt around his head, but found no injury. "Where's this b-b-blood coming from," he exclaimed. He saw the water on the tub floor mixed with blood.

Breathless, he wanted to see if he was bleeding. Seeing his torso covered with blood, he quivered. Alexander’s stare expanded after Arnold’s bloodied corpse at his feet.

Fumbling out of the shower, he tripped. Instinctively grabbing the shower curtain to catch his fall, he incidentally ripped it down. Alexander stumbled back up and ran out of the bathroom, his heart racing. Entering his bedroom, he locked the door behind him and stood against it catching his breath.

Alexander was unaware he left his clothes behind. However, the intense drives to escape made him lose rational thought. Glancing at his torso tentative, he fortunately saw no blood. Despite this, he avoided the bathroom as much as he could that night.

On May 4th, the sun was at its peak, Alexander sat on the edge of his bed barely dressed. His body no longer felt scorching, but the hideous memories of last night haunted him. Whether the visions brought the fevers or the fevers brought the visions he did not know. “I have to get away from here,” he said to himself getting up from the bed.

Outside the house, the sky was blanketed in gray. Alexander walked along the puddle-messed sidewalk, heading over to the Viser manor. The air felt stale and heavy for him, just like in the lighthouse. Still seeing Arnold’s body in his shower he asked himself, “I-I-Is… that what really happened to him.”

Alexander ran his hand slowly down his face, trying to convince himself it was a subconscious display and he was over exaggerating.

At the Viser manor, the steel black gate was opened. Walking up the driveway, he saw red, green and white incorporated in the paper banners and decorations inside the windows. Approaching the front door, Igia opened it and met him. “Oh, good, you’re here,” she said, cordially.

Looking at the tri-colored, paper flower decorations overhead, he asked, “You needed me over here?”

She nodded, “Yes. I need you to get some other things from the storage room upstairs. Don’t mind the leak in there, an old pipe goes past that room.” She invited him in saying, “I normally have some else help with the set-up, but he never showed.”

Alexander tilted his head a bit and raised an eyebrow, “Who was it,” he asked. Igia walked over to the west wall and adjusted the banners, “Arnold, but some people are saying he ran away.”

Alexander did not seem surprised, but had trouble suppressing what he saw now. He fiddled with a banner to distract his thoughts, asking, “What do others say?

She shrugged, “Just absurd drivel, it’s unimportant.” Igia finished adjusting the decorations, “Isn’t it funny, these disappearances are happening, almost like Eathan’s killer returned.”

After hearing her say that, he stopped and looked at her. Astonished, she would say that, he turned away and said, “I’ll go see what I have to do.”

Upstairs, Alexander could hear sounds behind the storage room door. Curious, he went to see what was causing the demoniac wails. Upon opening that door, a vision manifested before him.

Within the high school a year ago, Arnold had been near his locker getting a book, when he had seen Eathan with Igia receiving acclaim by a teacher. Arnold stared desirously at them and then back at his locker. He had grabbed a picture of his mother, narrowed his eyes and had torn the image several times.

The vision moved to Alki beach at night. Eathan had been dragged near the shoreline. Wrapped in duct tape, unable to move his limbs, a gloved hand had grabbed him by his hair. The attacker had shoved Eathan's face into the sand as the tide came in and out. Eathan’s voice gurgled from the sand and water.

After he stopped struggling, Arnold had stood him up, jeering and slapped his back making him stumble forward. At which he had fallen awkwardly and then his throat had hit the edge of a giant fire ring, crushing his esophagus. After having seen Eathan unresponsive for minutes, Arnold adopted a worried look and had placed him in the water.

Lying on his side halfway under water, Eathan had made voice-cracking gasps as Arnold ran away....

The sound of water drops hitting the floor brought Alexander away from the past. He shook his head, trying to assimilate back to reality. His mind readjusted, Alexander stood wide-eyed after what he saw. Paralyzed from his preternatural sight, seeing Eathan’s true killer, he was unaware the tall lamp behind him tipped over, pushing the door closed.

Alexander looked back at the door, “Ms. Viser?” Going over, he tried opening it, but the knob was jammed. Unexpectedly, a small chest on the right wall shelf vibrated and catapulted to the adjacent wall.

Jumping from the impact, he turned and saw items being tossed and shifted, like an uncontrollable child was responsible. Alexander shielded himself from incoming projectiles, while desperately trying to move the doorknob. Soon broken sounds resonated in the room.

Believing the ululation came from above he looked up seeing, heterochromatic, hollowed eyes spring open in the door itself as grimy waters encroached from around them. Alexander stumbled back screaming, knocking over some items.

Coming upstairs, Igia approached the storage room door. Showing concern, she asked, “Everything okay in there?”

Inside, Alexander trembled, unable to fathom what he sees. Without warning, he felt a cold, damp hand in his hair. At that time he heard the door unlock.

He hastily raced for the door. To his relief it finally opened. Without stopping he ran passed her going to the stairs. Befuddled by Alexander’s sudden fear, she looked in the storage room, seeing nothing out of the ordinary.

Escaping from the manor, Alexander ran with his heart beating the inside of his chest. Not wanting to look back, fearing this unrestrained presence was everywhere, he sprinted through puddles panting. Almost being hit by a car while crossing the street, all he could think of is escaping.

Back at the manor, Igia stood staring out of fifth, third floor window. She held an insignia engraved, jet-black cell phone in her right hand. At that moment, the phone lit up. Igia looked at the phone’s screen and smiled wryly as it sent a message out. 