Authors Note: Hi everyone! This is a story based on the 4th Act on Nocturne(tm). I don't know how many people have played Nocturne(tm), so here's basically what its about. It's about a man who works for a special agency, which takes care of supernatural activity. I'm not using that character, and I'm changing it quite a bit. So here it is!
Please Read And Review!!!
Disclaimer: The basic storyline belongs to Terminal Reality, and all others who helped create Nocturne. I do not own this. I do not own Emily Killians' name, or Hamilton's name, for that matter, but I do own Emily Killians' appearance, manners, etc. Rayne Marrik, Joseph Sparrow, Mike Thompson, The Succubus Yvette, The Vampire Bride Natasha and The Dhampir twins Jade and Jared all belong to me. These characters are all I own in this story, apart from the Hamilton Killian monster and the wax torture thingy which isn't even a character. The monsters, to some extent, belong to Terminal Reality and all others who helped make Nocturne, but mainly most of them come from Folklore, Myths and Legends.
If anyone is offended by the violence and gore content of this story it was not my intention to offend, and I do apologise.
STORY 4
CHAPTER 1
Thursday 5th February 1994
Exactly 4 years after the Germany Incident
It was a terrible evening in early February. The darkening skies were completely covered in dreary grey clouds. Thunder boomed from the sky, lightning flashed across the clouds like white veins, and cold rain showered down, bouncing heavily off the ground in thick splashes.
Rayne Marrik stood patiently outside the gates of the Killian Estate graveyard, her black police uniform drenched and freezing, causing goose pimples to rise all over her body. She'd been sent to France on a mission regarding several murders around a large mansion owned by a young woman named Emily Killian, who was terrified by the strange happenings at her home.
Rayne wrapped her arms around her body and jogged on the spot, trying to keep warm. Every time she landed her boots squelched as the water in them swilled around her feet. She grimaced and cursed to herself. It had been bad weather all through January and February, and she hated it. She couldn't stand cold weather, and according to her there was nothing worse than standing out in the rain in wet squelching boots, and wet clothes sticking to your body like a second layer of skin, and not knowing how long you had to stay in them. It was bad enough that she'd had to spend four years stuck with disturbing nightmares from that messed up castle in Germany, images of vampires, monsters and the horrifying death of her teammate and friend, Steve Roberts, but now she was standing alone in the pouring rain next to a large creepy graveyard where several gory murders apparently took place, with only a pistol and a small knife to defend herself with. She'd tried to take shelter under the large stone porch of the mansion but the roof seemed to have caved in quite some time ago, destroying the only possible shelter available. The mansion doors were locked, and even if the graveyard gates weren't Rayne wouldn't be caught dead in there.
She pulled her dripping bangs away from her eyes and rung out the soaked beret she always wore. She placed it back neatly on her head and cleared her throat. Her small fingerless gloves were becoming uncomfortably wet. She grumbled unhappily and walked over to the graveyard gates, reluctantly resting against them. She sighed deeply and rubbed her eyes clear of rainwater, frequently looking back into the graveyard in fear. She didn't want anything creeping up on her, especially at that time of night. She hadn't seen any supernatural activity for four years, but it didn't make a difference. Every night after the Germany incident she'd hung a string of garlic either side of the windows and doors of her apartment, and she always wore a rosary. She wasn't taking any chances.
Rayne jumped and whipped out her pistol as she heard something rattle in the graveyard. It was extremely dark. Every now and again the occasional lighting flash would light it up for a split second, making a few graves and tombs visible. Rayne held out her pistol and pointing it into the graveyard, scared of what she might see.
Another lighting flash, and Rayne could see something wandering around. It looked too small to be a person, but it wasn't unusual to see the occasional dwarf wander by. Rayne waited for the next flash of lighting.
When it came she shrieked as a small red creature jumped onto the gates and screamed in anger. Another two followed it and Rayne ran for the mansion, knowing the doors were locked, and knowing she was doomed. She could hear the monsters climbing over the gate and running after her. She kept telling herself to not look back, but she couldn't help it. She looked back and saw all three of them catching up to her unbelievably quickly. She turned away and continued to run. She reached the mansion and screamed as one of the creatures rammed into her back, sending her to the ground. They were very strong for such small beings.
Without one thought, Rayne scrambled to her feet and pushed on the large decorative double doors in front of her. To her surprise and relief the doors opened, and she quickly squeezed through the small gap she'd made. She pushed the doors shut and rested against them, breathing heavily.
Ten minutes earlier…
Joseph Sparrow wandered down the large road, his eyes fixed on the small piece of paper given to him by a much-loved relative. He'd received a letter not long ago from his Aunt Clara asking him to come to France to visit her. She'd given him the most simple of directions-go to Bordeaux, find Killian Lane and make your way past the Killian Estate to the train station, she'd meet him there-and now he was crossing Killian Lane, staring at the letter his aunt had given him along with the directions.
- I hope you and your family are well. I look forward to your arrival. Take care now. Love Aunt Clara.
If only she knew, Joseph thought sadly to himself. Joseph and she were the only two surviving members of their family. After the Redeye, Texas incident, their family were all left dead. Dead and rotting in their own homes.
Joseph broke away from his thoughts when he noticed a bit more to the letter.
PS. You needn't ask for directions to Killian Lane. Just look for a large mansion with a clear glass dome atop it. Then just go from there. –
Joseph folded the letter neatly into his jeans pocket and looked to his left. He'd seen the mansion when he was searching before, but it didn't look too big. Now he was scared by it, by the way it towered over him, so isolated and desolate. He continued to walk, trying not to look at it-
-and then he heard a scream.
Joseph could feel his blood turning cold when he immediately realised that the scream had come from the mansion. He wanted to run, to get away from the mansion and the scream. But his instincts told him different. He took a deep breath and quickly walked through the gates into the mansion courtyard. There was nothing there.
He squinted and saw two doors leading into the mansion. He didn't want to go in, but he knew that scream. He'd heard that kind of scream back in Redeye, and knew what it meant. Someone was in trouble.
Taking another deep breath, he jogged over to the mansion, over a pile of stony rubble on the porch and gripped the door handles. Taking one last look back at freedom, he opened the doors…
Ten minutes earlier…
Mike Thompson rested the bottle of beer on the small polished table in front of him and leant back in his seat. He sighed and wiped his forehead, looking anxiously around the small pub. It reminded him of that old speakeasy back in Chicago, where he'd had to face those horrible reincarnated monsters…
…reincarnated monsters with guns, Mike reminded himself. He'd never seen anything like them. About average height with stitches, lots of stitches, and automatic guns. But what got to him most was their appearance. Their mangled, dried up appearances. The way they looked like zombies but with all the intelligence of the average human, and this had stuck with him for all this time, haunting his dreams…
He was reawakened when the barmaid came and started talking to him.
"Everything Ok, Hun?" She said, smiling softly at him. Mike didn't really harbour many human emotions towards others, but he could make a few exceptions for certain people.
"Ah, I don't know."
The barmaid took a seat beside him, sitting extremely close.
"What's wrong?"
Mike sighed heavily and leant further back into his seat.
"Just thinking about…stuff," he averted his gaze to the deep red carpet, trying not to let the barmaid see his blushing face. He knew she'd seen it though. She looked away, smiling.
"My names Mike," he said, "What's yours?"
"Yvette," the barmaid replied.
"That's a nice name," Mike said, blushing much more.
Why did I say that?"He thought ashamedly. Yvette smiled again.
"Listen, if you don't want to stick around I got a place back in Philadelphia, and it's not far from here. Wanna come?" She gestured towards the door with one of her small slender hands.
"Haven't you got work though?" Mike said, all the while telling himself to just shut up and go with her.
Yvette continued to stare at Mike.
"I've just finished off actually."
Mike looked up into her deep brown eyes, almost hypnotised by them, and replied.
"Ok, sure."
Yvette smiled warmly.
"Cool. Let me just grab my things from the back and I'll meet you outside in five."
She got up from the seat and disappeared into a door behind the bar. Mike wiped his forehead again and got up from the seat as well, felling a little better. He saw Yvette reappear with a small handbag and a black coat.
"Ok, let's go," she said positively.
"Sure."
They both left the bar, Mike feeling much happier now.
It was quite cold outside, but Yvette didn't seem to care. She turned to Mike and said, "Just follow me, ok?"
Mike nodded and followed her down an alley next to the bar. Mike was instantly reminded yet again of Chicago.
"Um, where are we going?" Mike asked, his nervousness appearing in his voice.
Yvette turned to him, and Mike gasped. Her eyes were glowing brilliant red, her skin now pale and spotless.
"You'll see…" Her voice was lower than usual, and much more mellow. She stepped forward and struck Mike on his temple. He fell to his knees, the world fading to black…
Present…
The grand hall had been something, a big staircase leading up to a landing, and what appeared to be a small waiting room near a large latticed window.
Rayne walked cautiously through a long winding corridor, her pistol still pointing out in front of her. She'd heard the front doors opening not long ago, but she hadn't dared go back.
There was no light in the corridor, so Rayne searched through the small bag around her waist for her flashlight, which she quickly fastened onto her gun. A cone of bright light shot out when she flipped it on. Immediately Rayne felt herself calm down as she adjusted to the light. She could now see that the corridor was more or less empty, with the exception of a few side tables with broken lamps and flower vases. It was lavishly decorated, with a soft red carpet and high-quality crimson wallpaper. It looked a lot like a five-star hotel, with numerous dark brown doors lining the walls. Each door had a certain number on it, but it was all in Roman numerals.
Rayne walked on, her hands still shaking slightly, and turned a corner. The corridor went straight on and ended in an elegant elevator. She approached it with caution and pushed a small green button to the right of the door. The doors slid open slowly, revealing a small old-fashioned elevator with dark wooden rails along the walls.
Rayne stepped in cautiously and looked at the elevator buttons. They were simple: one button to close the doors, one to go down and one to go up. Rayne closed the doors and thought for a moment before pressing the 'up' button. The elevator trembled slightly while transporting Rayne to the floor above. When it stopped she opened the doors and left the elevator, scanning the new corridor with her pistol…
As the mansion doors settled shut, Joseph observed the grand hall. It was pretty much empty, with a tall flight of red-carpeted stairs leading up to the landing, and a small reception with a desk and some chairs. It was all very immaculate with its white eggshell walls and lustrous square tiled floor. A majestic chandelier dripping with sparkling diamonds and softly glowing candles hung from the ceiling, lighting the hall.
Joseph listened intently for any signs of danger. He quickly walked over to the reception area and searched the desk for anything useful. He found a small sharp envelope opener, which he shoved under his belt immediately, and a note draft asking for help with murders around the Killian Estate. He put this into his pocket; suddenly thinking that entering the mansion wasn't a good idea at all.
A flash of bright lightning and an explosion of thunder outside made Joseph jump out of his skin. The rain was coming down harder now, beating loudly against the window. Joseph turned away from the window, and could have sworn he'd seen a young girl in a white gown disappear into a corridor at the far end of the hall. Taking out the envelope opener and bracing himself, he set off after what he thought he'd seen.
Mike Thompson awoke on a cold stone floor, his head pounding.
He slowly sat up and found himself shivering intensely. He looked around, his blurry eyes slowly coming into focus. He appeared to be inside a small cell made of grey brick, with one heavily barred metal door. The cell was quite dark, with only a small shaft of soft moonlight pouring through a small window on the door.
Mike climbed to his feet and slowly stumbled over to the door. Gripping the bars of the window, he looked outside. He couldn't see much because he still wasn't fully focused, but he could see some kind of corridor. He looked down at the old rusted door handle and pulled it. Surprisingly the door creaked open.
Why would someone leave a cell door unlocked? Mike thought to himself, confused. Still, he couldn't care. He just wanted to get out of wherever he was and go home.
He quickly staggered through the corridor, rubbing his throbbing head, and opened a large wooden door at the end. He stepped out into what seemed to be a small pantry, and looked around for a door. Even in his half-conscious state he knew that the place he was in wouldn't be safe, but he didn't want to waste time trying to find something to defend himself with. He just wanted to get out.
Strangely enough, there wasn't a door leading out of the pantry, but instead his exit was a large dumbwaiter, with two ropes to guide it up or down. He stepped in and, trying to think as logically as he could, concluded that most cells were placed underground, and decided to go up. He gripped the right rope and pulled it. The platform lifted with ease and soon enough Mike was facing the next opening. Not wanting to go too many floors up, Mike stepped out and left the dumbwaiter.
He was now in another corridor, this one much more homely, which he walked through until he came to the end door. He opened it and stepped out into a stone balcony. Instead of crossing the balcony he chose a large flight of spiral steps to his right. They led up to a small library, with leather bound books packed neatly onto the many oak bookshelves lining the walls. Mike began to leave when he heard something behind him. It sounded like a soft hiss. He turned back and tried the door at the end of the library. It was locked, so he had to go back to the stairs and try the door at the end of the balcony.
When he was back on the balcony and walking over to the other door, he heard a similar sound to the hiss he'd heard, only this time he could make out someone saying something to him.
'Become one of us…' The voice said.
Mike was freaking out. An invisible person was talking to him. And it was asking him to 'become one of them'. He turned back and began to run to the end door of the balcony. When he reached it he was horrified to find that it was locked. He tugged furiously at the door but to no avail. The voice became louder, and soon there were more of them.
'Become one of us…'
'You will please us…'
'There's nothing but peace in our arms…'
Mike cried out in terror. As he pulled harder on the door he turned around, only to see his follower. It was a woman, with red-rimmed yellow eyes and flowing white hair. He closed his eyes tightly, and felt his deathly attacker envelope his body.
'No escape…'