From the sterile halls and plain chambers of the reformatory our army marched forth. Flesh and bone, shaped by our choosing, into those things which the darker qualities of their progenitors found most appealing.

Mouths far too wide, sporting far too many teeth. Claws, spikes, needles. Some had armored sections on the torsos, where the humans’ bullets were most likely to land. Others were built for speed and agility.

Marching on clawed feet, they left the institution’s grounds. Picking their way around ancient trees and past mighty boulders. They ignored the trails, climbing where needed, their claws leaving deep cuts in rock and wood.

All the land went quiet. The roads were empty. The forest was dead silent. Nothing dared to move. Animals hid in their dens. Cabin doors were locked, the occupants clutched weapons, stood at windows. All eyes watched; every ear listened. All beings were focused on our ghastly host.

Teenagers lay sleep in their tents. Comfortable in underwear or even the nude, they were unaware of the doom that was closing in on them. Picking through their bags, the horde found suitable packs. They filled them with the fresh meat. We would have a source of food, a way to heal if it came to it.

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[I can feel it. She is watching closely. We have her favor.]

{She loves us. Soon we will be in her arms, under her heel.}

(I will see this through to the end. I hope that she is as great as you two say.)

[My friend, she is far greater.]

We could practically see it, that wonderous end.

All need fades, and with it, all conflict. Merriment is all. She is all. Every being dances in such splendor, splendor that is beyond the current limits.

Prance, prance and laugh. Skip hand in hand with your friends and lovers. Skip from one stall to another, from one show to the next. On to the horizon. Never sleep. Why sleep when everything is a lovely dream?

And she is dancing. All fall prostrate in awe at her majestic movements. Orgies take place in recognition of her exalted form. Her gaze is endless, and exhilarating, and terrible.

We forced ourselves to focus on the present.

Under the burning, prehistoric night sky they marched on. Through the soundless depths of the forest, ignoring the temptation of Orava. No, we set our sights on the real prize, Diefenbaker. Thousands of bubbly families would meet their end. And the universe would begin anew.

The majority of our army headed toward the suburb. A detachment broke off from the main force. This smaller group went in the direction of John’s cabin. Their mission: destroy, or at the very least, pin down the biggest threat to our sacred mission.