Another night settled over the mansion Vre had come to call her ‘home-away-from-home,’ its eerie silence broken only by the echo of her footsteps through the empty halls. She had settled into a routine of research and well-being, poring over distant, obscure texts and mysterious devices that defied her understanding in the dimly lit rooms.

Drake was often absorbed in his own work, keeping to himself and leaving Vre to her thoughts. He didn’t seem bothered in the least to keep his nose in books or tinker with his devices. Even with the occasional appearance of Herb, who would fill the lab with soft clucks, it did little to break the overwhelming silence.

The weeks passed slowly. When she first came to stay with Drake, Vre had felt a surge of excitement at the prospect of living in a dilapidated old mansion and researching occult mysteries. The constant drizzle, the gray skies, and the solitude felt like something out of a dream. The reality, however, was that the research and silence were maddening. After the first few days, she found herself incredibly lonely. She often wondered about the people she had left behind—her family, her friends, her boyfriend. Had they forgotten about her? Did they even know she was gone?

She often sat in the windowsill of the old mansion, watching the leaves in the trees rustle. There was no one to see her here. No one to talk to. Just a world of gray, with denizens stuck here and beings who came and went.

The mansion itself was a labyrinth of decaying grandeur. Once opulent rooms were now shrouded in dust and shadows, their former splendor hinted at by tattered curtains and broken chandeliers. Vre’s bedroom, tucked away on the second floor, was sparsely furnished with a creaky four-poster bed and a rickety desk. Long, red curtains and tapestries hung on the wall. Every night, the wind howled through the cracked windows, making the old house groan and creak as if it were alive.

Despite the loneliness, Vre threw herself into her research on the abyssal taint.

She meticulously cataloged her findings, though progress was slow and often frustrating. Books contradicted each other, and very few referred to the origin of darkness explicitly as the taint. It was more complex than that; she found herself delving into many records on the history of creation, trying to pinpoint when things had become corrupted. Everything seemed to suggest that creation was good, that humans were good, but something had happened to make them sick with something that was not good. It was almost like digging through code, trying to find the trace of when a computer program turns into a virus.

She learned a lot about the nature of man and spirits and different philosophies on existence. She delved into the mysteries of life, death, spirits, and the soul. She studied the distinctions between God and gods, understanding that the divine was not a single thing to be understood but a tapestry of different entities and realms. The gods went by many names—Elohim, Watchers, Devas, Asuras, Grigori—the list was endless. But even the gods believed in something higher, something out of reach. The unnamable, ineffable purity that creation was supposed to be…but was not.

And on the flip side, the endless depth of horror from which the ‘taint’ supposedly originated.There were records of a place called the ‘Abyss’ as one of the worlds that connected to the World Between, but nothing on exactly what the Abyss was.

And even as she learned about the abyssal taint, she had the thought…what could she even do about it? She was just a regular person. Even if she one day understood it, what could be done? And how could this ever help her get home?

One night, overwhelmed by the isolation and the heavy thoughts swirling in her mind, Vre decided to leave the mansion and seek out the company of others. She informed Drake of her intention to go to the Bellisade, but he seemed indifferent, barely acknowledging her departure. With a sense of urgency, she made her way through the damp forest, the lightest of rain falling around her. Her trusty boots crunched on the dirt path, providing a comforting rhythm to her hurried steps.

As she walked through Demure, she noticed the familiar sight of the chapel where Jonah often spent his time. She saw him standing outside, engaged in a conversation with what must have been one of the spiritual beings she had heard so much about, but had never seen up close. Instantly, she knew this figure was not human. The moment she tried to focus on its face, she was overwhelmed by an inexplicable wave of fear. It was as though the very essence of the being repelled her gaze, and she felt a blinding sensation even though no light emanated from it.

The being was very tall, draped in white robes that seemed almost ethereal. It wasn’t just its height that struck her, but the fact that it hovered about an inch off the ground, defying the natural laws of gravity. As she continued to watch in astonishment, the being lifted into the sky. It had no wings and made no sound, yet it ascended effortlessly, as if gravity held no sway over it. Vre stood frozen in awe, her mind struggling to process what she had just witnessed.

Jonah, noticing her wide-eyed amazement, beckoned her over with a smile. His expression was warm and inviting, a stark contrast to the otherworldly encounter she had just experienced.

“You look like you’ve seen a ghost,” he said, his voice tinged with amusement.

Vre approached him, her steps tentative. “What was that?”

“That, my dear Vre, was an angel,” Jonah replied calmly. “They are rare visitors here, but they come from time to time. Their presence is a reminder that there is still a connection to the divine, even in a place as dark as this.”

"An angel? Why was it here? What do they want?”

Jonah’s smile faded slightly, replaced by a more serious expression. “Angels come for many reasons. Sometimes they bring messages, other times they watch over us. They rarely intercede. They are beings of purity but they too can become corrupted if they aren't careful. This one in particular was bringing a message about battles that are happening on the outskirts of the realm. It seems the enemy forces are gaining ground.”

"Right. This world is a battleground, you mentioned. Well, I hope that is all far removed. I guess good of the angel though to come give us news."

Jonah nodded. “Where are you headed? Haven’t seen you in a few days. You gettin’ on okay?”

“Ah, yes, I’m okay. I’ve been trying to read everything I can get my hands on, Jonah, to understand where exactly we are and what the taint is and maybe how we can get home. But as much as I learn, there isn’t anything tangible to do even if I understand that creation is corrupt and the taint is spreading. Did you know people before me tried to remove the taint by dissection before? That didn’t work. It’s not a physical thing by default. It’s a spiritual thing. But nobody knows anything about the human spirit. It’s all just talk.”

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Jonah smiled at her with a slight crease in his eyes. “Holy books might be able to help you, there. Or even talking to an angel. But good luck getting them to sit still for more than a minute.”

Jonah decided to accompany her to the Bellisade, but once at the door, he mentioned he had other business to attend to, so she went in by herself. The Bellisade was as familiar as ever, with the low drone of voices and the occasional shuffle of tableware being set down. She greeted Sandra, who bubbled over with a cheery smile, happy to see her and informed her that there was another refugee she had just taken in. She brought Vre over to meet him. A young man this time, who was standing behind the counter with a bewildered expression on his face.

She imagined that had been her when she first came here, too. This man looked very nervous, perhaps in his early twenties. His hair was starting to thin and he had a splatter of freckles on his face. He had a wiry copper mustache and thin lips, and she learned his name was Norm. He was studying to be an accountant back in the material world. They made small talk for twenty minutes or so, and as she sat at the counter swigging from a tall bitter beer, she started to recognize just how lonely she really was. She was desperate for anyone’s company.

Talking to Norm made her heart hurt. He was nice and all, and she was sure he appreciated having someone to talk to, too…but it really just made her miss her home. She didn't know how long it had been since she disappeared. She didn’t know anything about what was happening back home. Was time still passing there? Were things at a standstill? Maybe this was all just a dream and she’d wake up one day back at home with Liam, snuggled up in her warm bed, ready to return to work the next day.

“Do you remember what day it was when you came here? Like what date?” Vre asked him.

“Oh, yeah, sure. November 14th, 2024.”

His answer made her stomach flip.

“I see. It was October 2nd when I came here. So that means…”

“Time still passes.” Norm said quietly, nodding. He had a drink in his hands but he had barely touched it.

The rain continued to fall against the building outside, the sound of it beginning to pick up in intensity. The wind was starting to kick in. The mood around the Bellisade was beginning to shift, too. People were not talking as loudly as before. They glanced towards the door, their expressions on edge.

Sandra gave her a serious look. “Hey, girl. I think this might be one of them times. I think the rain men are coming. You might be wanting to get out of here.” She turned to Norm. “You can stay with me. We’ll need to head to the basement, though. The militia will be around to protect us if they sense them coming.”

“The rain men.” Vre swallowed deeply, steeling herself. She’d only witnessed this phenomenon once in her time here thus far, and it was only for a brief moment. Those inhuman things that materialized when the rain started to fall backward from the earth.

“Do you think you can make it back to Drake’s?” Sandra whispered, the tone in her voice urgent.

“I can.” Vre nodded, feeling the warmth of the liquid courage running through her as she downed the last of the beer with a swig. “I’ll be quick. I’ll go now.”

Sandra nodded. Vre, along with a throng of others who had picked up on now is the time to leave, headed towards the door. The rain outside was falling in thick, cold drops but at least it wasn’t falling up.

Everyone shuffled wordlessly out of the bar and into the streets, knowing that the best chance of survival was to get to a quiet place and lay low. Don’t stay in a pack. Don’t group together. When the rain fell up, you should be silent and pray they don’t hear you.

Vre pulled her jacket tighter around herself, the chill of the rain seeping into her bones as she hurried through the empty streets. The atmosphere was tense, and the distant rumble of thunder added to her growing sense of unease. She glanced back, seeing the other villagers dispersing in different directions, each seeking their own refuge. Rain stung her eyes and her feet slipped in the mud as she tried to walk fast. The light was very dim and the trees swayed ominously.

As she neared the edge of the village, the rain began to intensify and the first signs of the unnatural phenomenon appeared. As she looked, droplets began hovering in the air, then slowly rising back toward the sky. Her heart pounded in her chest, but she forced herself to keep moving, her boots splashing through puddles as she made her way toward the mansion.

The forest loomed ahead, dark and foreboding. Vre took a deep breath and plunged into the trees, following the familiar path that led to Drake’s mansion. The rain was now falling upwards in earnest, and she could hear faint, unsettling whispers carried on the wind. She heard voices that sounded like moans. The trees seemed to close in around her, their twisted branches reaching out like grasping hands.

Her pace quickened like her heart that was pounding in her chest. The mansion came into view, a hulking silhouette against the stormy sky. She reached the front door and pounded on it, her breath coming in ragged gasps. The very air around her seemed to be closing in.

Drake opened the door almost immediately, his expression grim. “Get inside, quickly,” he said, pulling her in by the arm and shutting the door behind her with a heavy, final thud.

She stood in the foyer, dripping wet and shivering, but relieved to be away from the rising rain and the impending danger. “The rain men... they’re coming,” she managed to say between breaths.

“I know,” Drake replied, his eyes severe and his voice curt. “We need to stay inside and keep quiet. They’re drawn to noise and movement and you were making plenty of it. Follow me.”

He led her through the darkened halls of the mansion, their footsteps echoing softly against the old wooden floors. They descended a narrow staircase that led to the basement, the air growing colder and more oppressive with each step.

The basement was a maze of narrow corridors and storage rooms, filled with old furniture and forgotten relics. Drake guided her to a small, windowless room and motioned for her to stay by holding up one finger. “Wait here,” he whispered. “I’ll be back. Just stay quiet.”

“Wait, you’re leaving me here?”

“Yes. You don’t know how to fight them, so you're useless coming with me. You need to just stay here, wait for me to get back. I need to secure the doors to the outside. I won't be long.”

Vre didn’t like the sound of that but she nodded, slightly enraged by his comments but the fear was more pronounced. She nodded. Drake disappeared into the shadows, his footsteps headed upstairs, leaving her alone. Fear thumped in her throat. She took in her surroundings slowly, her eyes adjusting to the shadows. The room was cluttered with boxes and old books, the air thick with dust. Thunder cracked from outside. She was not a moment too soon in getting back. She could hear the faint sound of the rain men above, their eerie moans sending shivers down her spine.

The sound of the rain seemed quieter now, and she knew it was because it was not falling on the roof anymore but falling up. Just moans, the occasional rumble. She didn’t hear any sounds of fighting.

She waited for what felt like several minutes. Drake had not returned yet. She leaned against the far wall and ss she listened, she heard a faint, almost imperceptible noise coming from deeper within the basement. It took her a moment to realize what she was hearing was real--It sounded almost like the sound of wind passing through the hall. Was there a door open down here? She panicked, thinking maybe it would lead outside. That there would be a way in. She stood up, her heart racing, exiting the room she had been told to stay in and followed the sound down a dimly lit corridor.

The sound grew louder and she realized what she was hearing was a whisper. It was coming from an ominous looking, white wood door at the end of the basement hall. The door was slightly ajar, revealing a pitch-black void beyond. Why was it so dark? Why was there a whisper? She felt a wave of dread wash over her, paralyzing her for a moment. But the whisper urged her on.

She was close enough now that she finally understood what it was saying.

If you want to understand the darkness, trust and proceed.

…Enter? No, no--her body stopped her just before the door. She couldn't see anything inside of it. She could just close it. But something about staring into that darkness made her think something was staring back. She could still hear the unholy voices of the rain men outside the mansion. But whatever was in this room, inside this darkness… that was something different entirely.

Feeling like she could be sick with fear but summoning all her courage, Vre opened the door and stepped into the darkness. She felt around for a light switch but found nothing--the air was thick and cold, and she was immediately disoriented. She felt like she couldn’t breathe, that every sense that she had was being drowned in the black. Immediately she regretted coming in here.

But before she could leave, against every shred of her sanity, she felt something soft touch her right arm. It made her skin curl--she wanted to pass out, to scream, but she had chosen this--she had to accept the consequences.