(27th of May, 1999)

“All units! Any units, please respond!” Frank yelled through the mic. “Please, calling any and all units!” He yelled again.

The squad car raced to the outskirts of town. Heading to the Sawmill where Dani’s husband, Emanuel worked. Frank desperate to see if there were anybody else still around. The confusion settling into fear as he began to realize We’re all alone in this…

Detective Drew looked into the back of the squad car. Dani was back there clutching her children in her arms. “Mrs. Gomez. Do you really think your husband will be there at the Sawmill?”

“No…”

Drew sighed as he looked back towards the road. With him beginning to feel this whole scenario was a lost cause. He and Frank shared a look. Both of them seriously considering cutting their losses. But just as Frank was about to break the bad news to Dani. A voice came over the dispatch radio.

“Hello? Frank was that you?”

Frank felt that he recognized that voice. Was that Don Dougherty? The town drunk… He sat there wondering how he managed to get on this line before remembering that he used to be an RTO in an infantry unit while in the Army. A Radio Telephone Operator, so he chalked up to his familiarity with their equipment. Frank grabbed the mic.

“Don, yes it’s me! Where are you right now, what’s happening around here!?”

“Frank… I’m at the Baptist church on the north side of Small Pines right now. A lot of the town is. We’ve all been hold up here amidst all this craziness… Have you- have you seen THEM yet?” Don asked.

“Them?” Frank said. Questioning it before speaking into the hand mic. “Don, who are they? What are you talking about..?”

“You don’t already know!? Well you’re probably not going to believe me then...”

Frank sat there for a moment. Don was right. Frank probably wouldn’t have believed him before. He didn’t believe his story about the “shaking man” so why would he now? But Frank definitely wasn’t the same now as he was then. He knew something was wrong with the town. Swallowing his pride and skepticism, he spoke.

“Don. I- I gotta apologize to you buddy. We didn’t believe you when we should have but… I’m listening now. I’m hearing you loud and clear. Do you understand? So shoot, tell me what you’ve seen.” Frank said as endearing as he could manage.

“…” Silence.

“Don? Don are you there?”

“Yeah I’m here Frank… thank you. Break.” Don took a moment. “There are monsters all over town! They’ve been breaking into houses and… and…” Don started talking fast and fumbling over his words.

“Don, Don calm down.” Frank said. Dani frightened, telling her children to cover their ears.

Don took a breath. “Look man. It’s been crazy. Just… just get to the church. We need you here buddy. Most of these people are scared. They need guidance and protection right now…” He said.

Frank sighed for a moment. “Just give me one moment Don.” He said.

Frank looked back at Dani. As if he were asking Well Dani… what’s the play? Dani bearing a scared look in her eye. She wanted to check on her husband, but… she knew Don was telling the truth. She could hear the chaos unfolding outside when she was trying to call the police earlier…

“Don’t worry Dan.” Frank said as her eyes lit up. “If Manny is out there… I’ll still find him…” He said with conviction in his voice.

“Are you sure?”

Frank smiled softly. Reassuring her.

“Oh! God bless you Frank!” She said with enthusiasm.

Frank nodded as he went back to speaking with Don. “Alright Don. I’m coming by to drop some folks off. I’ve got a separate stop to make real quick alright?”

“…A… second stop… Why Frank? We need you here!”

“I’ve got some business to take care of at the Sawmill. There’s a detective here that will fill the leadership role while I’m gone. Does that work for you guys Don?”

There was another moment of silence. This confused Frank. Was he talking it over with someone else right now? Frank was starting to get irritated. There wasn’t time for this. If he were going to make a stop by the church his turn was coming up. “The Sawmill Frank?”

“Yes Don.” He said, getting irritated.

“Okay… that’s fine. Drop the others off and then head to the Sawmill…”

“Roger. Thank you for understanding Don. I’ll see you again after okay bud?”

“Sure Frank. Out…”

Now with the plan set, Frank sped up. Speeding down the road before turning onto Main Street. Which was an experience Frank wasn’t prepared for. It was a ghost town. Nobody walking, running, no monsters, nothing. All this craziness seemingly happening overnight. And as Frank took in the atmosphere he saw the aurora borealis… Breathing in its beauty as he thought about his family, as well as Kimberly.

Kimberly… wherever you are I hope you’re alright… He thought.

It was then that Drew decided to break the silence. Asking Frank if it was really okay that he went to the Mill on his own… He explained that it had to be this way. Dropping Dani off at the church with everyone else was the best option. And that they needed a strong figure there like Drew for their own piece of mind. Besides the Sawmill was probably empty anyways. Frank figured so at least. So he’d be on his way back in no time.

It was as they approached the church when something strange caught their eyes. Headlights. The group watched as a blue Honda bombed passed them on the road. Shocking them because they wouldn’t have expected to see it.

“They’re in one hell of a hurry.” Drew noted.

“Well if what Don was saying about monsters… can you blame them?”

Drew chuckled. “No I guess not.”

Minutes later they pulled up to the church. Not too surprised to see the lights on. The soft lights of the church poured out into the darkness. Making the world feel a little less cruel due to its inclusion. They stared at it and Dani almost couldn’t believe it.

“Alright kids we’re going to stay in the church and wait for Dad, okay?”

Her children shook their heads as Don opened the front door. Waving them on. Frank said his goodbyes as they wished him luck. Dani hugging him tightly as Frank patted her back while smiling whimsically. Finally Dani left him by telling him “I never would’ve guessed but… You’re a good man Frank.” She told him as she shut his door. The group waving him away as Frank drove off.

“Good luck Frank…” Drew whispered before turning his attention to Don. “Are you Don?” He asked.

“Yes. Come inside…” He said apprehensively. Slurring his words slightly.

“Have you been drinking at a time like this Don?” Dani asked as she entered the church.

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

“…” Don didn’t say anything.

As they entered the church, its atmosphere was calm and inviting. Bright red and clean carpets. Crosses lining the walls of this holy place. Drew entered and to him it felt… off. Nah, it’s gotta be my imagination. He thought. After all the church was quiet, but it was filled with life. With dozens of people filling the pews, sitting there quietly. Drew realized Don wasn’t exaggerating. Most of the town truly was here! Drew decided to check in with Dani as Don walked toward the corner. Keeping his distance from everybody else.

“How are you holding up?”

“We’re doing better now.” Dani whispered as she looked around the room. “Everyone is so quiet but considering… I think I understand why.” She said as her kids remained glued to her hip.

“Yeah… it’s definitely weird.” Drew then looked over at Don. Seeing him nurse a bottle of rum over in the corner. “The town drunk…” He said. Some things never change… Drew thought.

But something stuck out as bizarre to Drew. It was the look in Don’s eyes. He looked petrified. Like truly scared! But he was calm, standing off in his own little world away from the rest. When he compared Don to everyone else it became even weirder. They were cool, collected and plain faced. Gathered closely and remaining quiet. He then noticed a woman looking his way. She was a bit tomboyish, but Drew didn’t recognize her. But Dani did from the diner. Her name was Molly Mildred she told him.

Drew then looked over toward Don yet again. “You doing okay there Don?”

Don shook his head. Drew then approached Don as Don began to look even more frightened. Shaking where he stood. A far cry from how everyone else was holding up. “Don. You said these people were scared but… they all seem to be holding fine. Are you sure you’re okay?” Drew asked again, Don staring him straight in the eyes.

Whispering Don said. “If you run now… you might make it…” Don told him as his eyes were darting all over the room in all directions. Keeping his eye on the whole church filled of… “people.”

Drew looked shaken all of sudden. His guttural feeling intensifying. “What do you mean by that Don?”

3:00 AM

Frank pulled up to the Sawmill and it seemed calm… everything appeared still with the exception of sawdust permeating the air. Breathing it in as Frank’s eyes began to water a bit. It’s so quiet, but its almost like they’d been running the saws up until now… Frank thought as he grabbed his Remington from the squad car. Pumping his shotgun and loading a shell. He walked up to the main building and saw a car sitting in the drive.

“The blue Honda from earlier…”

What? What the hell is going on!?

Frank stepped into the mill and had a look around. Unlike the church it was far from inviting. Bandsaw equipment and conveyor belts. Dingy lighting and sawdust, stumps, logs, and chainsaws… And on top of that. It appeared to be empty. Aiming his shotgun, Frank swallowed his apprehension as he walked in even further.

“Manny!” He yelled with no response. “Emanuel Gomez!? Is anybody in here!?”

Despite not being there long. Frank was already feeling as though it was time to leave. Clearly nobody was here. Which was odd considering he could’ve sworn that blue Honda was the same he’d seen pass him on the road not long prior. On top of that there were other vehicles in the lot as well so… where the hell was everyone? Frank getting ready to leave when his foot nudged something that had a palpable splat.

“Huh?”

Frank looked down and was hit with unease as he the toe of his shoe was pressed firmly against soaked, bloody chunk of flesh. Hearing a falling tin can he swung around with his shotgun drawn. His eyes widened in disbelief. It was… Old Mable Stillwater!? He backed away when he then heard shuffling coming from behind him. Swing around he could see a man hiding away in the shadows.

“Manny!? Is that you?”

The man stayed silent.

“What the fuck… Manny we have to get out of here now!” Frank announced with urgency as he backed away from the monstrous form of Old Mable Stillwater. Her nails like claws with limbs longer than the length of her grotesque, skin sagging naked torso. Her tits sagging toward the ground. Dragging across the ground as she walked on all fours. Eyes sunken.

As Frank inched his way toward Emanuel he kept his weapon drawn. Preparing to grab Emanuel by the hand and run. Assuming that Emanuel was in too much shock to take the initiative. Then Emanuel stepped into the light. Frank gasping at the sight of him… Half of his face was gone. Pure skull and bone whilst the other half was stoic and calm. His arm on the opposing side? A dripping bloody axe made purely out of his own bone marrow. The blood? His own, seeping down from the fleshy portion of his upper arm.

What the fuck? What the Fuck? What the FUCK! Frank’s mind raced. Repeating his own thoughts in his head over and over. Incapable of thinking anything else. He turned to run when even more creatures came flooding into the Mill! By the dozens, surrounding him on all sides creating a wall of indescribable horrors. Each detailed creature different yet equally disturbing.

They each began laughing and cackling as they rotated around him like a pack of hyenas. Frank rotating on the spot with his weapon drawn not knowing what to do. Who to focus on. WHAT to focus on? When suddenly a space was parted in the wall of meaty distorted flesh. A modestly dressed man walking through the crowd of beasts. Unscathed. Frank staring at him as he lowered his weapon. Eyes wide and trembling.

Don’t be afraid child… Frank heard within his mind. But the voice wasn’t his.

“You—the father that w- that went missing…” Frank said wide eyed and in awe.

That is as I appear. But not who. What. I am.

“What the fuck..?” Frank said. Incapable of containing his thoughts any longer. “What are you? Are you…”

I am destiny. I am here to make you a proposition. Since you couldn’t make it to the church. I came to meet you here. Frank Houseworth. The man communicated telepathically.

“The church!?” Frank’s fear turned to anger as he swiftly and violently aimed his shotgun yet again. “What did you mean?! You were there! What about Dani, the detective. HER KIDS! WHAT DID YOU DO TO THEM!?” He yelled as the man shaped husk smirked at him.

Yes well… I’m not there so I can’t sat for sure…

Frank put his finger on the trigger. “Oh yeah! Why don’t you enlighten me with a guess!” He said as echoes of the creatures laughter could heard entirely in his head.

How about… The man’s mouth opened. An abnormally large eye with a deep, bright red iris could be seen. And a flurry of skinny tentacles were writhing in the air upon doing so. I show you.

The moment Frank’s eyes met it’s, the world around was sapped of all color. His peripherals a blur and the only color that could be seen were that of that deep red eye staring into his very essence. Franks began to sweat profusely. Sweat dripping down his forehead, through his clothes and his palms became slick.

Now look behind you

As Frank did what was asked turning his head slowly. He saw a gap in his reality. Like a window into another world as the soft lights and bright colors of the church spilled out into the room. I don’t understand what I’m looking at… Frank thought as the mysterious eyelike being’s thoughts overshadowed his. It is I. More accurately it is my spawn.

As Frank observed more closely all he saw was a writhing mass. Slick silky orbs crawling and creeping all over themselves in a massive pile of viscera and slime. Like a horde of rats they climbed on top of each other. Staring at this was started to drive Frank into absolute madness. Your spawn?

Yes. They’ve delivered your friends into a new tomorrow.

Fearing he’d fall into madness further, Frank shut his eyes tightly. Breathing heavily he was able to snap back to reality. He opened his eyes again and it was like he was waking up for the first time ever, as if he’d just been relinquished from the womb. Breathing heavily he stared back at the man.

Yes it would seem my spawn has had their way with them!

“You’re…” Out of breath he huffed. “going to pay for that!”

For what? Gracing them with my blessing? You and your family can join me too. Frank… take my hand into a better tomorrow! Help me smite those of which want to rob you of being a part of the grand collective… Help me find the one known as Kimberly McKnight!

“Kimberly!? What could you want with her?” Frank desperately asked. “What does she have to with all of this?”

At this moment your cohort aligns herself with the one who wishes to end my existence. My paradise. With your help you can convince her to join us. You see Frank… if you don’t then I will be forced to get rid of her… Not to mention you.

Frank stood there for a moment. Giving the Seeker reason to hold off. Deep in thought about his situation. Staring into the Seeker’s eye. His decision was already made. What he was going to do was already decided. The only thing he couldn’t determine was the how…

Frank laughed. “Well… I guess there’s no helping it.”

In the blink of an eagle eye Frank squeezed the trigger. Pellets flying forth from his shotgun, dismembering the body that housed the Seeker. His torso falling to the ground as the insides of his vessel hung from the empty hole. Intestine soaking the ground in blood. The Seeker leapt from the body and slithered away as a horde of monstrosities descended on Frank.

Such a pity… The Seeker’s thoughts bouncing through this space like an echo. KILL HIM! Those thoughts demanded.

Slobbering and manic Old Mable Stillwater moved the mannerisms of aal man eating insect. Frank pumped his shotgun again blasted her wrinkly distorted head like a zit as he viscera sprayed throughout the crowd. In a moment of sober acceptance Frank swung around and did the same to Emanuel as his deteriorating body fell to the ground, his bonelike axe striking the floor with a spark.

Be at peace Emanuel… Frank thought. Regretting not being able to save him and bring him home. Regretting unwittingly sending Dani and their kids into the lion’s den. Regretting not taking this situation more seriously from the start. Regretting not taking his job more seriously for years. And regretting…

“Anna I’m sorry…”

Tears in his eyes he fired off the last shell from his Remington. Throwing it as the horde was on top of him before he could even get his hand over his handgun. He was slashed, sliced, and wrestled to the ground. As he pulled his pistols he began firing blindly into the massive monstrous weight on top of him. Feeling, but not seeing a few of these creatures fall lifeless on top of him. He felt searing pain as the skin of his thigh began to rip and tear, and then only warmth and numbness. His leg had been ripped off by shear force. Soon to his other leg. Then his left arm. His guttural screams incapable of being heard from outside this disgusting pile up.

A few more shots rang out before the sound of ceaseless clicking could be heard. He was out of ammo. Ran through the entire fifteen round magazine… it was over. Not much else to do now but simply wait for it all to turn black. His last thoughts before his consciousness faded away? Kimberly… Please put an end to this…