Note: Once again, the amazing and kind TRDowden1 and I have joined forces to create a story!
In this story, Duke's hair is in Season 5's style.
We do not own Haven, Requiem from the Darkness, or any Stephen King material.
Some of these chapters will have Stephen King references.
Haven from the Darkness
Jennifer pulled out her laptop at her local Starbucks, and opened up her e-mail. Seeing that Vince Teague, one of her editors had sent her an e-mail, she opened it:
FOUND INFORMATION ON URBAN LEGEND YOU WERE RESEARCHING, it said. THE HOOKMAN'S GRAVEYARD STORIES ORIGINATED IN A LITTLE TOWN CALLED HAVEN, MAINE. HAVE ALREADY BOOKED YOU RESERVATION AT HALLORAN'S BED & BREAKFAST; SUPPOSED TO BE VERY NICE. GOOD LUCK AND HAPPY HUNTING, LOVE, VINCE.
Jennifer read through the information, and asked for a to-go cup for her latte. She had to hurry home and get packed. She had a road trip to make.
Ch. 1: The Hookman
It was a dark and stormy night.
Jennifer Mason smiled to herself, wondering if other authors find themselves in cliques, as she drove through the heavy rain. She then went back concentrating on the road; it would be pathetic if she was killed in a driving accident while trying to write her book. Jennifer kept her eyes on the road, as she listened to her CD, rather being spooked by the thunder. The last thing she wanted was to cause an accident because she was nervous causing one. She took in deep breaths. Okay, it's dark and stormy, that's all, no more cliques for the rest of the night.
Through the rain, she thought she saw something run across the street. In response, she slammed on the brakes, which caused her car to swerved, and luckily she stopped alongside the road instead of falling into a ditch. She gasped, trying to figure out what was out there, when there was a tap on the passenger side's window, causing her to jump.
She opened the window a crack, then she immediately stopped, and gathered her file folders, notebooks, and laptop, and carefully placed them in back so they wouldn't get wet. She then went back rolling down the window, revealing a wet blonde woman with blue eyes outside.
"Hey, are you all right?" the woman asked, concerned.
"No injuries from a car accident," Jennifer said, trying to smile, "just trying to get my heart to calm down."
The woman smiled back. "Look, I'm sorry to be bothering you, but my car broke down and my phone's not working; could you give me ride to Halloran's Bed & Breakfast?"
Jennifer studied the situation; this didn't look a set-up for a carjacking.
"Actually, I'm heading that way," Jennifer said. "Come on in."
"Thanks," the woman said, as she entered and Jennifer unlocked the doors and rolled up the windows. "I'm Audrey Parker; I'm the concierge at the Bed & Breakfast."
"Jennifer Mason," Jennifer said, shaking Audrey's hand, and started her car.
"I'll make sure you get our 'save our employee discount,'" Audrey said as they drove, causing Jennifer to smile. Audrey looked back at Jennifer's belongings that were moved to the back seats. "What are you? An accountant?"
Jennifer laughed. "I'm a writer. I'm researching horror legends across the states."
Audrey nodded back and listened to the music. "I like this; who's singing?"
"Keiko Lee."
"She's good; it's just up ahead, around the next bend," Audrey told her.
She dabbed at her face, trying not to drip too much in Jennifer's car. The rain was really coming down in big sheets, coating the windshield faster than the wipers could handle it, and it thundered so loudly the car's panels rattled, and Jennifer jumped.
"Storms scare you, huh?" Audrey questioned gently.
"It's a holdover from childhood," Jennifer grumbled. "I hate it. We were caught once in a really bad storm in our car. Lightning hit a tree and we just barely missed getting crushed by it."
"I guess storms would scare me too after an experience like that," Audrey replied. "There it is," she pointed through the windshield to a brightly lit sign that said Halloran's Bed & Breakfast.
Jennifer pulled up under the awning that was flapping heavily in the wind of the storm, but it seemed to be winning the fight as Jennifer and Audrey ducked inside the B & B, making their way to the registration desk, where a youngish man greeted them.
"Audrey, there you are," he said, with relief in his voice. "I've been trying to reach you. What happened?"
"My car broke down and my phone's dead," Audrey replied. "Mrs. Mason here was kind enough to give me a ride."
"Oh, it's Miss Mason," Jennifer put in.
"Miss Mason," Audrey amended. "Is Room 15 still available?"
"Yes it is," the man, whose name badge read NATHAN WUORNOS, DESK MANAGER, answered. "If Miss Mason would be so kind as to sign in, I'll be glad to show you to your room."
Jennifer had just begun to sign her name in the registry when the front door blew open, caught by a gust of wind, and a man in a heavy black raincoat came in.
Jennifer felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand up, although she couldn't say why. The man seemed innocuous enough, and he shook himself off, folding up his umbrella.
"T'is neither a fit night for man nor beast," he quoted, seeing the little gathering at the desk.
"Welcome to Halloran's Bed & Breakfast," Nathan responded. "Do you have a reservation?"
"No, no, sadly I do not," the man answered apologetically. "I was hoping that you might have something. Or at least be good enough to let me wait it out until the storm passes."
Jennifer glanced at her new acquaintances, and could see it wasn't just her that thought there was something that just wasn't right about this man. Nathan's expression was polite enough, but his eyes looked as cold as ice, and Audrey's expression was one of a woman who was meeting her ex-husband's new girlfriend: polite, but didn't like her on sight. Plus, maybe it was the trick of the light, but for a moment it looked like Nathan had fangs in his mouth, and Audrey's ears were now long and pointy, giving her an elfish appearance. However after a flash of lighting, they looked normal again.
"Of course," Audrey replied in answer to his question. "Mr.-"
"Jackson," the man said. "I know it sounds phony, but my name really is Norman Jackson," he went on, taking out his driver's license, which revealed that his name was indeed Norman Jackson; his eyes lingering on Jennifer a bit longer than she would have liked.
"Well, Nathan will get you taken care of, Mr. Jackson," Audrey told him, and she guided Jennifer towards the door, to retrieve her car and the pair drove around to Jennifer's room.
Neither of them spoke about the man who'd come into the B & B, and he vanished from Jennifer's thoughts as soon as she saw her room.
"It's beautiful!" she exclaimed. "It's almost like a little dollhouse come to life."
"Well, thank you, we try," Audrey smiled, helping Jennifer with her bags. "Is there anything else I can help you with tonight?"
"No, I think I'll be okay now," Jennifer said. "I'm just a little nervous. I'm glad I found this place."
"I'm glad you found me," Audrey smiled. "There is an ice machine and a couple of vending machines down at the end of the corridor, in case you're hungry or thirsty," she went on. She handed Jennifer the key card. "There you are, and we'll see you in the morning. Breakfast starts at six in The Sandpiper -it's just off the lobby. It's included in your stay with us."
"Oh! Well, thank you," Jennifer answered; feeling like six am was forever away. She'd have to take Audrey up on that vending machine offer.
"We hope you enjoy your stay here," Audrey smiled, and then opening her umbrella, hurried out into the storm back toward the lobby.
After she unpacked, Jennifer glanced around, spying the ice bucket, which she took in hand. The storm seemed to be receding a bit, and she pulled the collar of her coat up higher, and headed out the door.
She chose a Sprite and a package of Ho-Hos, her favorite writing food, and was on her way back to her room, when she heard two voices coming from the shadows.
"Is he the one?" A female voice asked that for a moment she thought was Audrey's - but it didn't quite sound right.
"Yes," came a raspier response. It was a male voice, but it didn't sound like any voice Jennifer had ever heard before. It certainly wasn't Nathan's voice either.
She glanced down towards the direction where the voices were coming from, and something flashed. A light flare on a pair of spectacles, perhaps.
Jennifer readjusted her collar and rushed back to her room. She quickly changed from her damp clothes into her favorite pajamas, and she opened her laptop, dashing off a quick e-mail to her editor, Vince, and devoured her Ho-Hos.
She watched a bit of the news, brushed her teeth, and turned down the bed for sleep.
As she shut off the lights and crawled under the covers, she thought about that whispered conversation she'd overheard in the corridor.
"Is he the one?" the first voice had said. "Yes," had been the response from the raspy-voiced man. And the flash of his glasses, as though he'd turned his head in her direction.
As Jennifer fell asleep, the last thing that went through her mind is that it wasn't glasses' lenses that had flashed in the shadows.
They were eyes.
Jennifer woke the next morning to sunlight peering under the blinds in her window. The clock on her cell phone said it was seven-thirty, and Jennifer stirred, rousting herself out of bed.
She showered and got ready quickly. The Ho-Ho had long since left her stomach, now destined to be an extra fifteen minutes on an Exer-Cycle, and Jennifer wondered if the B & B had a gym. 'Probably not,' she thought.
She finished putting her shoes on and stepped out of her room, closing the door behind her.
It was so pretty here; the sun highlighted all the rain-dampened scenery, making it all look shiny and new, and Jennifer breathed in the fragrance of the hydrangea as she passed by. They looked newly planted, and Jennifer brushed her fingers against them as she strolled up to the hotel lobby.
The day promised to be warm and sunny, and she wondered if it was warm enough yet to brave the ocean. There was also a pool, but she passed it by, heading instead towards the center of the grounds.
The gardens were beautiful, she noted. Whoever they had working on the grounds certainly knew his trade, she marveled, seeing the roses, immaculately pruned, not a dead rose in sight.
Towards the back of the grounds, she noted a glassed-in structure that she surmised to be the greenhouse. Curious, she headed over towards it, ducking inside the door.
Inside, there were even more beautiful plants. She couldn't see anyone, but she could hear the sound of someone watering plants. No, not watering - it sounded more like a shower was being run.
She moved closer to the back, and could see a discarded dirt-crusted uniform draped over a chair, along with a towel, and could make out the outline of a form behind the green corrugated plastic that served as the wall of the shower. She could also see a pair of bare male feet sticking out from beneath the plastic.
The shower shut off, and the curtain whipped back, offering her a glimpse of a well-sculpted behind.
He started to turn, but saw her. Startled, he pulled the green plastic shower curtain back over him.
"Sorry," Jennifer blurted. 'God, he's handsome', she thought. He looked to be in his thirties, with short dark brown hair and eyes to match. He was tall and slender, but well-muscled. The arm that showed had a sugar skull bedecked with butterflies tattooed upon it, and he gazed back at her with a slightly amused expression.
"No problem," the guy said. "Would you mind tossing me that towel?"
"You mean this towel?" Jennifer smiled, strangely feeling flirtatious, as she picked up the towel.
"That would be the one," he answered. She could tell that he thought she was kind of cute herself, the way his eyes stayed on hers.
"Well," Jennifer drawled, feeling coy. "If you want this towel, then you're just going to have to come over here and get it."
She expected him to snap at her, or try to cover himself with the shower curtain as far as he could. But Jen knew that shower curtain was too short to reach that far.
"Fair enough," the guy replied. He whipped back the curtain and walked toward her, stark naked.
That was not what Jennifer had expected!
'He's certainly not shy!' she thought, feeling her cheeks flame hot for being so brash, and forced herself to avert her eyes. But as embarrassed as she was, he didn't seem to mind the situation in the least.
The guy came over, and took the towel from her limp fingers, draping it around his waist.
"Thank you," he replied.
"Welcome," she squeaked. "Sorry about that. I-I'll let you get dressed. Sorry . . . sorry," she blurted, and ran out of the greenhouse.
"That's what you get for that kind of behavior, Jennifer Mason," she scolded herself as she walked furiously to The Sandpiper. "You try to be bold and he calls your bluff."
The hostess showed her to a table. Jennifer perused the menu and settled on waffles, and fresh fruit and orange juice.
"Is there a gym here?" she asked the server, whose badge said her name was Shelley, trying to forget the embarrassing encounter with the handsome man.
"No, sorry, Ma'am, no gym. But the beach is that way, it's great for walking," she smiled.
"I'll do that," Jennifer replied as Shelley walked away.
"Good morning," she heard Audrey say. "Did you sleep well?"
"Oh, yes, wonderfully," Jennifer replied, smiling. "The bed was so comfortable; I didn't want to get out of it."
"I understand how that feels," Audrey said. "Wake up came pretty early for me too. Well, enjoy your breakfast," she finished, as Shelley approached with Jennifer's order.
Jennifer ate with gusto, savoring the rich maple syrup. She'd better make that a long walk at this rate, she thought to herself.
There were a few other guests in the restaurant, along with what she guessed were locals.
Over in the corner, she saw Norman Jackson, eating his breakfast. He sat alone, in the far corner, and it didn't escape Jennifer's attention that he kept glancing over towards her. It rankled her, and she thought about going over to confront him about it; but decided to let it go for the moment.
"You're just being over-sensitive," she scolded herself. Her relationship with Jason had ended badly three months ago; and she was still smarting over him announcing at what was supposed to be their engagement party, that he had fallen in love with another woman.
"Hello again," a familiar voice said. Jennifer looked up, pausing in her eating to see the man she encountered in the greenhouse, sitting across from her. He smiled at her as his eyes flashed a silver color, reminding Jennifer of last night, before they returned to normal.
"Uh . . . hi . . ." Jennifer said, and swallowed the food in her mouth.
"Look . . . I want to explain what I was doing," the man said. "I'm the caretaker here; Nathan doesn't like me traipsing through the buildings, getting everything filthy, so I clean up after I work."
"Oh," Jennifer responded. He studied her.
"You're Jennifer Mason, aren't you?"
"Oh, did you read my book?"
"No; just Audrey told me about a woman who recused her last night, and you fit her description," he said and extended his hand. "I'm Duke Crocker."
Jennifer shook his hand, and once again, his eyes quickly changed silver, then he blinked and his eyes returned to a warm dark brown color. As Duke stopped Shelley to order breakfast, Jennifer could see Norman was still staring at her, but somehow she felt safe with Duke sitting with her.
"So, you're a writer?" Duke asked. "Anything I know?"
"Oh, I'm just starting out," Jennifer humbly said with a tiny smile. "My first book was on the origin of nursery rhymes. I'm working on my next book right now. It's going to be a collection of 100 horror legends across the states, and their origins."
Duke looked impressed. "Sounds ambitious; I like it."
"Well, it's a little slow," Jennifer said. "So far I only have 13."
"I call that good progress," Duke said, as Jennifer smiled. "So 100 . . . that means two from every state."
Jennifer nodded. "Right now I'm researching about the Hookman legend."
"The Hookman legend?" Duke repeated.
"According to the local lore around here, Hookman's Cemetery is an abandoned cemetery out on a back stretch of road. Supposedly, a lot of paranormal activity is linked to the place. Some say it's because a woman was buried prematurely and her spirit can't rest. Another legend says that a man murdered his wife and child out there about twenty years ago, and he still stalks the place, looking for fresh victims."
"Well, I hope you're not planning on investigating some backwater cemetery alone," Duke advised, hungrily eyeing the waffles that Shelley was bringing back.
It didn't escape Jennifer's eye that Shelley's smile was a little wider when it came to Duke, and he looked up at her, and smiled.
"Hey, Shel," he began. "Have you ever heard the stories about the Hookman's Cemetery?"
Shelley blanched, and would have dropped Duke's plate in his lap if he hadn't caught it.
"The Hookman's real," she said, tears filling her eyes. "My best friend went out there last year to investigate - she never came back. They never found her or her little brother. The case is still unsolved."
"Now I definitely hope you're not going by yourself," Duke said, with a worried look.
"No, I'm going with a local woman, Rebecca Rafferty. If it makes you feel better, she's an officer on the Haven PD," Jennifer said, and Duke visibly relaxed.
"That's Becca and Damon's aunt," Shelley put in softly. "She's a nice lady. Becca was named after her."
She headed back to the kitchen, dabbing at her eyes.
"Well, that makes me feel a little better. You'll have somebody with a gun along with you," Duke exhaled.
Jennifer began to say something else, when she noticed Norman Jackson staring at her yet again. It was really beginning to get under her skin, and she squirmed under his gaze.
Duke noticed it too - and once more Jennifer saw that peculiar silver flash in his eyes.
He began to say something, when Nathan came up, a hand on Duke's shoulder.
"Duke, could I see you for a second?" he said politely, but Jennifer could see the tension in his fingers on Duke's shoulder.
"Excuse me, Jennifer," Duke replied, and joined Nathan over by the kitchen door. There was a rather heated conversation taking place, and Nathan departed the restaurant, smiling at Jen, and she thought she saw fangs in his mouth again.
Norman appeared to have finished his breakfast, and he hurriedly signaled Shelley for his check, before he ducked out, studiously avoiding Jennifer's gaze as Duke returned to her table and his breakfast.
"Something the matter?" she asked.
"Oh, nothing serious; Nathan says my gopher is back over on the south side of the garden," Duke said. "I tried to remove him without using dangerous poisons or inhumane traps, but I guess the little rodent didn't get the message that he's not welcome around here."
Jennifer smiled, admiring him for being concerned about not wanting to injure other animals. Some guests she'd noticed had brought dogs along with them; and she realized that he was probably more concerned about a guest's dog potentially eating poison bait or a poisoned gopher.
"So long as you don't try to blow him up," Jennifer teased, referring to the extreme tactics Bill Murray had employed in Caddyshack.
Duke grinned, a dazzling smile.
"That's one of my favorite all-time movies," he laughed. "Don't worry, I won't." He glanced back toward the table Norman had vacated, his smile slipping.
He bent down to Jennifer's ear. "And if that guy that was sitting over there gives you any problems, please, don't hesitate to come find me or Nathan or Audrey. We want you to feel safe while you stay here, not be stared at by creeps," he finished, his voice almost a growl. He brightened again, cheerful once more. "So - have a good investigation, and be careful, okay?"
"Okay, I will," Jennifer smiled shyly once more.
"Promise?"
"I promise," she smiled a little wider, and Duke nodded, swallowing the last of his orange juice.
"Gotta go - got a date with a gopher," he grinned, and he was off.
Jennifer finished her breakfast, and wrote down the information she'd gained from Shelley, before she set out. She hadn't realized that Officer Rafferty had family members affected by this legend, so she vowed to be as tactful as possible.
It took her a while to find the cemetery, but at last, she spotted the blue Haven PD squad car through the heavy underbrush, and she pulled to a stop alongside it.
A blonde-haired woman in a police uniform climbed out of the car.
"You Miss Mason?" she asked.
"Yes, ma'am," Jennifer replied, going closer.
Jennifer could see why there were so many wild stories about this place - it had a stone wall that surrounded it, closed with a large rusted wrought-iron gate, locked with a heavy padlock, and Officer Rafferty produced a key. The cemetery was obviously abandoned, wild and overgrown with thorn bushes and weeds. Jennifer could tell that no one had been here to care for it in years.
"I understand that your niece and nephew disappeared out here," Jennifer began gently.
"Damon was my step-nephew," Rafferty said. "But yeah -Damon was a big paranormal buff, and his dad got him one of those ghost detecting kits with all the gadgets," she went on, unlocking the gate and tugging it open. "They came out here a few days before Halloween last year; when they didn't come home for dinner, my brother called me. We came out, and we searched the cemetery and the surrounding woods, but we never found a trace of them." She exhaled, hard. "Becca was a good kid, so was Damon. They had no reason to run away, no trouble in school or friends."
She took her wallet out, and showed Jennifer a photograph of a pretty teen-aged girl with dark hair and eyes, not unlike Jennifer's, along with a boy who looked to be around twelve or thirteen.
"Is that when all the stories started?" Jennifer asked.
"No, no. The stories about this place go back a long time. Supposedly, coming out here causes your phones to die, paranormal researchers claim all their equipment either experiences battery drain or just fritzes out, and cars seem to stall out when you reach that old bridge up the road," she gestured.
"What do you think it is?"
"I think this is probably a cell phone dead zone," Rafferty said. "The rest - I don't know." She looked teary a moment. "I'd just like to know what happened to Becca and Damon. I've come to expect that we won't find them alive. It sounds awful, I know, but I'm a realist. And a cop," she smiled ruefully. "They've been gone for months. I've been a cop for almost ten years - you just know after a while, you know?"
"Yes," Jennifer replied, and put a hand on her shoulder. "I hope you'll find the answers you're looking for someday."
"Thanks," Rafferty answered. "Well, look around, but don't be too long - I'm on my lunch break."
"Oh, yes, thank you," Jennifer said. She prowled around the cemetery, reading the names on the tombstones of people long since gone from this world. She was about to head back toward the entrance when something gleaming caught her eye.
Curious, she bent down to it, and looked closer. It was all but buried in the dirt, tucked under a tombstone. Jennifer tugged on it, and it came loose from the earth. It was a locket of some kind, and Jennifer brushed the dirt from it, reading its inscription: BECCA. It was dented, as though it had been hit by something heavy and hard, and seemed to have what looked like paint flecks stuck to it that were the same color as the crypt it lay by.
Kneeling down next to the crypt, Jennifer couldn't be sure, but the way the morning sun fell across the crypt, it looked as though the pattern of the plaster on the end was different than the rest of it, as though it didn't quite match.
"Officer Rafferty!" she called. "I found something!"
Rafferty came closer, and clutched the locket in her hand.
"They were here," she exhaled, and got on her radio. "I need forensics out to Hookman's Cemetery," she called on her radio. There was no response. Rafferty tried again. "Hello. Officer needs assistance, are you receiving me?" Silence.
Jennifer felt a faint uneasiness settle over her. So far, the Hookman's legend was beginning to prove itself.
Luckily, as soon Jennifer and Rafferty left Hookman's Cemetery, the cruiser's radio began working. Jennifer said good-bye to Rafferty, and went her own separate way. Jennifer spent the rest of day sightseeing, and researching more about the Hookman legend. She found a little café for to have lunch. After she ate, she checked her e-mail and worked on her notes. She then looked into more horror legends across the states, wondering where she'll travel next: Wyoming, Rhone Island, Nebraska, Oregon, Hawaii . . . maybe when she gets to the west coast . . .
She then decided she needed a break and did some shopping. She promise the Teague brothers that she'd get them souvenirs to let them know she was okay. A boat tour proved to be tempting for her and she decided to board it. When the boat returned to the harbor some hours later, Jennifer realized that she'd lost track of the time, when she saw the sun setting. She headed back for the Bed & Breakfast to get some dinner at The Sandpiper.
She hoped she could contact Rafferty as she entered the building, then froze.
She didn't know where she was. It looked like the lobby; except now it was composed of endless hallways. There were no doors or windows. Only random paintings and lamps lined the walls. Jennifer turned around and saw the front door was gone.
'Oh, no!' Jennifer thought. 'It's just like the movies! A writer goes to a small town and loses their mind!'
She then heard footsteps behind her.
Jennifer spun around, seeing Norman Jackson behind her.
"Oh, uh - hi," she said weakly.
"I wanted to apologize to you for staring at you earlier," he answered. "It's just you look so much like my late wife."
"Oh. Well, I'm sorry if I've dredged up painful memories for you," Jennifer replied, glancing around them. "D-Do you notice anything strange about this place?"
"Strange, what do you mean?" he questioned, as though it were an everyday occurrence for doors and windows to magically disappear, as he drew nearer. Jennifer felt nervous, and she took a step back, Norman advancing.
"You look so much like Peggy," he murmured.
"That's nice," Jennifer stammered. She was suddenly really afraid, and she looked around, hoping for anything, anyone to appear, but it was only the seemingly endless corridors stretching out into infinity in front of them.
"So much like her," Norman uttered, his hand touching Jennifer's hair.
This seemed to galvanize Jennifer, and she backed away, walking rapidly, hearing a noise behind her.
She glanced over her shoulder and then broke into a run when she realized he was chasing after her - with a fire ax clutched in his hands. He swung it at her head, just barely missing her skull, splintering the molding on the wall, shattering the wall sconce that lit the hallway.
Jennifer stumbled, but quickly regained her footing. She had to get away from him, she HAD to.
"Help! Somebody help me!" she screamed, pelting down the corridor as fast as she could go. She darted off into one corridor, racing through the labyrinth of hallways, searching for a door, a window, ANYTHING, ANYONE as she ran.
She could hear Norman keeping pace behind her, calling out to her.
"Pe-e-gg-y," he sang in a singsong voice. "Come out, come out, wherever you are. There's nowhere to hide."
Jennifer whimpered in terror, and turned the next corner ahead of her - and ran straight into Duke.
"Duke!" she sobbed, throwing her arms around him, not noticing his shocked expression.
"Jennifer? What are you doing here?" Duke asked, surprised. Before she could speak, they heard approaching thumping footsteps. Duke gently pushed her away and stood protectively in front of her, as Norman rounded the corner, out of breath, the ax dangling menacingly in his hands.
"You get away from my wife, you son of a bitch," he growled at Duke.
"She's not your wife, Norman," Duke told him. "Put the ax down - I won't tell you again."
"Oh, what are you going to do if I don't'?" Norman taunted, getting ready to use the ax on Duke.
Duke walked closer to Norman and Jennifer could see Duke's form . . . changed. His eyes changed back to silver, as his teeth grew into fangs. Silver and smoky dark grey fur grew all his body as his face jutted out to form a feline muzzle, complete with whiskers. His ears grew longer until they resembled caracal's ears with black tuffs. Duke's clothes were torn apart as his body shifted into an anthropomorphic puma. His shoes were ripped to shreds as his feet shifted to a digitigrade stance. Black horns that looked like horns of a pronghorn antelope sprouted from Duke's forehead. A long muscular tail with a black tip grew from his spine.
Jennifer's mouth fell opened seeing this deadly, yet beautiful creature. Norman didn't seem fazed and charged at Duke.
Duke yet out a blood curling angry scream and ran at Norman, tackling him down the hall.
Jennifer was shocked out her revive when she heard . . . Duke . . . screaming in pain; she had to see if he was all right, and ran to the sound.
When she rounded a corner, she saw Duke, with a deep cut on his arm, clutching the ax in one (paw? hand? pand?) and had Norman by the throat with the other.
Jennifer saw a figure behind Norman emerge from the wall. It was a woman, Jennifer could see. But it didn't look like any woman she'd ever seen before. She was a deep blue color, with longish pointed ears on either side of blonde hair.
Jen looked closer, and with a shock, she realized the woman was Audrey!
Blue Elf Audrey raised her hand toward Norman.
"Those who perform atrocities shall be punished," she intoned. "Reveal yourself, Corrupted!"
Norman seemed to writhe and twist at her intonation, but he shook it off. Duke squeezed the ax from Norman's hand and bit down on his shoulder.
Another being emerged from the wall; this one appeared to be an over-sized bipedal dog, its long sharp fangs, gleaming. It looked as though it was wearing some sort of uniform, and Jennifer found the whole thing so surreal that she wondered if she were dreaming.
"Norman Alexander Jackson, you are hereby accused of the murders of Peggy Jackson, Alex Jackson, Rebecca Rand, Damon Grayson and the attempted murder of Jennifer Mason," the dog said in a growlier version of Nathan's voice. "How plead you?"
Norman hissed his response at them, struggling to get loose from the monster that had been Duke, but was unsuccessful, as Duke dug his claws deeper into Norman's skin.
"Hold him," Nathan-dog said, and Blue Elf Audrey came forward, with what looked like a crystal ball in her hand.
"To the next world, we sentence you," she intoned, and Norman screamed, writhing in Duke-monster's clutches, but he held tight.
There was a greenish light, and then something began to worm its way out of Norman's mouth. Jennifer watched with horrified eyes as it looked like a giant mutated snail with a humanish face. It hissed and snarled, but the light coming from Blue Elf Audrey's sphere seemed to have it in check; and with a loud shriek, the snail monster disappeared in a bright flash of light, and the crystal ball now glowed with a greenish light.
Norman sagged in Duke-monster's grasp, and Nathan-dog stepped forward, taking him by the arm.
"You are to face justice for your crimes," he told Norman, and the two of them disappeared into the wall.
Blue Elf Audrey glanced back toward Jennifer, who did the only rational thing she could do: she fainted.
A short time later, Jennifer stirred, finding herself on the sofa in the lobby, and she could hear voices arguing.
"I thought that you were supposed to check that everyone was accounted for so Audrey could perform her Sleeping Spell!" Nathan said, talking to Duke.
"I did - I didn't realize she was still gone!" Duke argued back. "And YOU said you were going to check to make sure before you cast your illusion!"
"Do I have to run around behind you to make sure you've done something?" Nathan shot back.
"Guys, enough," Audrey broke in. She saw Jennifer stirring, and she came towards the sofa.
Jennifer shrank back against the cushions, looking around her wildly. The B & B appeared to be back to normal. Everything seemed to be back in place. Where Norman had swung the ax at her in the hallway, there was no mark on the wood, and the wall sconce appeared to be restored to as good as new.
She looked up at the three of them. They all appeared normal people and Jennifer wondered if it HAD been a dream; until she noticed Duke's arm and the deep gash on it, healing way too fast.
"Hi," Audrey spoke, sitting down on the coffee table. "Are you okay?"
"No," Jennifer retorted. "What the hell are you people?"
"We're still trying to figure that out," Duke said and Nathan rolled his eyes.
"We're not . . . completely human . . . anymore," Audrey clarified, as Nathan and Duke sat down in nearby chairs.
"You appear to be clever, we won't talk you down," Nathan said. "There are . . . tears in our reality. Certain entities escape into our world and latch onto humans who commit horrible acts, making them commit more horrifying deeds, deforming the person on the way. They are called The Corrupt."
"We seek out these criminals and stop them, removing The Corrupt from the person," Duke said.
Jennifer nodded back, understanding. "What happened to Norman? Is . . . ?" She then paused, realizing something. "Wait! Why are you telling me this? Are you going to erase my memory? I swear to never tell anyone about this! I'll never write about what happened! Even under fiction! Please don't—"
Jennifer stopped when she heard Duke laughing so hard that tears were rolling down his face.
"W-What's so funny?" Jennifer asked, her brown eyes still wide and frightened.
Duke wiped his eyes, still snickering. Nathan gave him a dirty look, but said nothing.
"We are not the Men in Black," Duke reassured her, leaning forward, and put a hand on her arm. "We don't want to hurt you or erase your memory or anything like that."
"Oh," Jennifer said, relieved and smiled as them. "Thank you for trusting me with your secret; you're like superheroes!"
"Not exactly; we're sort of like -" Nathan began.
"Border patrol," Duke interrupted, and Nathan glared at him.
"Well, we ARE," Duke argued the point.
"Our job is to capture the entities that I told you about," Nathan spoke. "Border patrol," he grumbled at Duke.
"Do they always argue like that?" Jennifer asked Audrey, who smiled, getting up.
"Unfortunately, yes," she said loudly, both men looking after her as she went into the restaurant. After a few moments, Audrey returned with a cup of tea in her hands, and she placed in Jennifer's.
"I think you could use it," she smiled. "I guess is what they're - what we're - trying to tell you is that you have nothing to fear from us," she went on, a gentle hand on Jennifer's shoulder.
Jennifer sipped the tea. It was sweet and smelled of field flowers, it's comforting warmth spreading through her limbs, and she felt her eyes growing heavy. She finished the tea, and set down the cup yawning.
"Did you Mickey Finn me?" she asked, the yawn distorting her words.
"No, not really; just something to help you sleep. You had a big shock, and you need to rest," Audrey soothed.
"C'mon, Sleepyhead," Duke said, gathering her small frame in his strong arms. "I'll take you to your room."
"And then come right back," Nathan retorted.
This time it was Duke who gave the dirty look, but he carried Jennifer down to her room, gently placing her on the bed and taking her shoes off. He was about to leave, when he paused and turned around. He leaned over and gently stoked her hair as Jennifer sank into the depths of oblivion.
"Good night, little flower," he said softly, and shut the light off, closing the door.
The next morning, Jennifer woke with a start, looking around her. The events of the previous evening seemed like a crazy dream, and she wondered if it had been.
She showered and dressed quickly, pulling on her shoes, and ran into the lobby.
There she saw Audrey, Duke and Nathan talking with an older couple. They were all shaking hands, and Jennifer realized that they must be leaving.
"Good morning," the older woman greeted, when she saw Jennifer. "I'm Beatrice Halloran - this is my husband, Tom," she went on, the older man smiling. "We were just saying goodbye to these wonderful people who looked after our Bed & Breakfast while we went on our world cruise."
Tom looked around admiringly. "You guys and gal did a wonderful job," he enthused. "The place looks incredible. Course, I could just be prejudiced, too," he teased Beatrice.
"It was our pleasure," Audrey was smiling.
"Well, if you need references, Bea and I will be more than happy to give you one," Tom said. "Goodbye again, and good luck."
"Thank you," the three smiled, gathering up assorted luggage before heading out to a vintage blue Chevy Bronco.
Duke slammed the trunk shut then heard someone call his name. He turned around and saw Jennifer running up to him.
"Hi," she said.
"Hey," Duke responded.
"So . . . off to save the world?" Jennifer asked.
Duke found himself smiling. "Probably."
"I guess I'm not going to see you again?" she asked.
"You'll be better off if you didn't," Duke said and Jennifer nodded back, understanding.
"Thank you for saving my life . . . and you know, not erasing my memory," Jennifer said and Duke laughed.
"My pleasure," he replied. His eyes stayed on hers for a few moments, and Jennifer felt her skin warm under his gaze.
"Well, we ready to go?" Nathan called loudly, opening the passenger door for Audrey, who climbed in. He stopped a moment, stepping in between Duke and Jennifer, and extended his hand.
"Goodbye, Jennifer," he said. "And good luck with your book - when it comes out, we'll all buy one," he promised. "Duke - don't be standing around getting all attached," he warned in a friendly tone, but both Jennifer and Duke could see that it was more than a friendly jibe.
"I guess that's NATHAN'S way of being subtle," Duke called after him.
"Train's leaving with you or without you, Crocker," Nathan replied, slamming his door and starting the engine.
"I have to go," Duke said apologetically.
"I guess so," Jennifer replied. "It was nice to meet you - Duke."
"It was nice to meet you - Jennifer," he answered softly, and gently touched her check. "Take care of yourself, huh?"
"You too."
"Yeah," Duke smiled, and got into the back seat of the Bronco, just barely getting the door closed before Nathan squealed out. He watched out of the rear window until the Bronco was out of sight, and Jennifer let out a heavy sigh.
"She can't tag along, Duke," Nathan said, once he was facing forward again. Duke frowned at him.
"Hey, you never had a problem with me flirting with women before," Duke shot back.
"This time is different."
"Why is that?"
"You're acting different."
Duke rolled his eyes. "How about you keep your eyes on the road and try not to kill us? Once is enough for me; and let me make this clear: nothing is going on between us."
"Sure, Duke," Nathan said, slowing shaking his head.
Duke muttered something rude under his breath before he looked at Audrey. "So, where are we going next?"
Audrey checked her phone. "Ohio."
After Jennifer had breakfast, she checked out. When she done loading her car, her phone buzzed, and saw that it was Officer Rafferty.
"Hello?"
"Jennifer," Officer Rafferty said. She sounded as though she'd been crying.
"Is everything all right? What's the matter?" Jennifer asked.
"I just wanted to call you and tell you thank you for finding that locket," Rafferty began. There was a pause, and then: "We found them, Jennifer. We found them in the crypt next to where you found the locket. The killer broke it open and stashed their bodies wrapped in plastic inside it and then re-plastered and painted the outside to age the plaster to look old," she went on, drawing a ragged breath. "That's why we didn't find them when we searched the first time: Becca, Damon, and two other bodies, a woman and a kid. We think they're Peggy and Alex Jackson. They disappeared almost twenty years ago. We have an APB out on the husband; he was seen in this area not too long ago. We have a few questions we'd like to ask him."
"Too late for that," Jennifer remarked under her breath.
"I'm sorry?" Rafferty asked. "I couldn't hear what you said."
"I'm sorry we were too late to find your niece," Jennifer replied.
"So am I, but at least we have closure now and we have you to thank for that," she finished. "I just wanted to let you know that."
"I appreciate it," Jennifer replied. "You and your family have my condolences."
"Thank you," Rafferty said once more, and the line went dead.
Jennifer looked at her phone for a few moments, and then tucked it back into her pocket. She then entered her car and exhaled deeply. She looked at her file folder next to her and smiled.
"I'll let chance decide where I go next," Jennifer said. She closed her eyes as she flipped through her papers. When she felt she had her hand on the right one, she pulled it out. Jennifer opened her eyes and looked at the paper.
Jennifer smiled: Ohio.