I do not own anything relating to the Teen Titans.
Opening the Closet Door a Crack – Chapter 17
Xxxxxxxxxx
From the Journal of Randolph Carter – Selected Passages
August 3, 2-
Slept poorly again. Don't know what it is. Is it the smell of fish? The fear of being held captive? Just the town itself? God, what I wouldn't give for one night's peaceful slumber.
At least I'm being fed. Food's not great, but better than FISH. EVERYTHING'S BETTER THAN FISH. HATE FISH, WILL ALWAYS HATE FISH.
Need to get myself under control. Been several days since I've spoken with clerk. The hooded order members never talk to me. Research is interesting, but after a while, need to hear another voice. Beginning to loathe this entire room. Wish I studied up on Stockholm Syndrome, don't think this is a sign. Don't think there's ANYTHING that could make me identify with these horrors.
Well, back to work, may as well do the research I came here for. Nothing else to do.
Wish I could take a shower.
August 3, 2- (Afternoon)
Unbelievable! FINALLY know why I've been held here. Never imagined it. Never could have dreamed it. Major discovery. MAJOR breakthrough in linguistics and cultural history.
Where to start? Clerk came in later in the morning, said one word, "Read?" I responded yes. He asked me "What say?" I started to talk about Marsh and the various papers and letters. He interrupted me and pointed to the books I had not worked on, asking "What say?"
I answered him that I didn't know the language, no one did. I opened up one of the books to a page where I at least recognized the words, should, they were the familiar passage from the Necronomicon, "Ph'nglui mglw'nafh Cthulhu R'yleh wgah'nagl fhtagn". No one knows what that means.
The clerk responded "In his house at R'yleh, dead Cthulhu waits dreaming."
I almost hit the floor. After all these years, SOMEONE knows these words.
It was then I realized. These people are illiterate! All of their lore, their knowledge must be oral. They've been looking for someone to read these books to them. I could read the books and they could translate the words to English. What a tremendous opportunity!
We spent much of the remainder of the day transcribing their texts. I would read out a sentence and the clerk would give me the English word. Began to see patterns in the texts. Can't get the full meaning yet, will probably take a number of sessions, but at least I have my Rosetta stone as a start.
August 4, 2-
Continuing to work with the clerk and the books. Apparently, many of these books are their holy books. God alone knows where they came from. Some seem derivative of older works, some seem to be extracts from other forbidden works. Recognize passages from Necronomicon, Pnakotic Manuscripts, other lesser works. Al most as if someone had copied sections out of those works and assembled their own holy bible out of them. Will need several more sessions with clerk before I'm able to work alone to begin translating.
Tired. Excited, but tired. Mind is starting to play tricks on me. Keep getting the impression that I'm not alone. Must be the excitement of these discoveries.
August 5, 2-
Odd day. First time the clerk showed any signs of real interest or excitement in our activities. Reached a part of their books dedicated to various ceremonies. Began to translate them with him filling in various words that I was unfamiliar with.
Apparently, cult has become worried at the deterioration in their various ceremonies and have been looking for some way to get back to the "original" basis of their religion. Guest even cults have their fundamentalists.
Finally, began description of a major ceremony that cult undertakes to communicate with their god, Dagon. Has to be done at a certain time and in a certain place. At least that's what I gather from the text. Clerk was highly agitated at the information. Seems like this was the information they had been waiting for. Oral histories knew it was arriving, but the corruption in their oral histories due to time and the normal deterioration of the language made them question their beliefs. This is a fascinating example of the evolution of religion and culture over an extended period of time. Assuming I get out of this, what a paper I am going to write.
August 6, 2-
Slept poorly again. Strange dreams about faraway cities and palaces. Odd people. Must be from being cooped up so long. Wish I could take a shower. If it weren't for that every present smell of fish, not sure I could stand myself. Odd, seems like I'm almost getting used to the smell. Sometimes, barely notice it anymore. Maybe I'll have a nice salmon dinner after I finally get out of this place.
Drifting off. Need to stay focused. Clerk came in again today, extremely excited. Apparently, our work has coincided with other portends. Cult is provisioning one of the last remaining vessels available in port for a long voyage. Many of the members will be going. Leader will not, from what the clerk says, he's too close to his transformation, whatever that is, and can't handle the rigors of a long voyage.
From what he says, their MAJOR ceremony is upon them, their chance to speak with their god. Need to go to his sacred island. Logical, given that the cult originated in the South Seas. Obviously, the religion is centered on a specific island where the god lives. Not unusual, most of these Polynesian religions are based on 'sacred' spots and islands. Obviously, these folk have just been segregated from the original body of believers for so long that they've lost track of their various duties and obligations.
From what I've been able to gather, they plan to leave on the next tide. Don't know what they plan for me at this juncture. Hopefully, I'll be released. Almost wish I could go with them. What an opportunity to observe a demon/devil cult in the process of one of its rituals. Never was able to see one.
Given my druthers, I want out. Want to see the sky again. Want to smell the air again. Don't know what happened to the fish smell, but it seems to have faded somewhat. Still, want clean air. Soon as I get out, definitely want something that is NOT prepackaged food.
Salmon, maybe trout or cod, sounds good for dinner.
Robin stopped reading to the other titans. His voice had been growing hoarse with the long recitation.
When the titans departed from Innsmouth, they had flown several miles outside of the marshes that surrounded the town. Somewhere between Innsmouth and Dunwich, the T-Jet landed in an open field and the titans were finally able to take a breath. They set up camp, each titan with their own tent. Beast Boy retrieved and donned a new shirt and while the other titans were preparing the evening meal, Robin began searching through the journal. Afterwards, Robin began to read passages out of Carter's book to the others.
Looking up at the others, Robin said, "Well, now we have the first clue regarding Carter's whereabouts, at least as far as about a month ago. He was captive of the cult. Since then, we don't know."
"Robin," asked Starfire, "I am confused. Many of the terms that Dr. Carter used are unfamiliar to me, for instance, what is the Stockholm Syndrome?"
"The Stockholm Syndrome is when captives begin to identify with their captors. Usually, people who have been kidnapped for a long period of time actually join their kidnappers. It's a property of human psychology that enables us to deal with long periods of stress."
"Sounds like towards the end that's what was happening to Carter," mused Raven.
"Sure does," answered Beast Boy. "Dude was actually willing to eat fish again after that town." He gave a shudder. "Gonna take a while before I can even MORPH into a fish after that town."
"But still," continued Starfire, "I do not understand what possessed the doctor to aid his captors? There was no force, no torture. Yet he seems to be aiding them."
Robin paused for a length. This would take some explaining. "Star, humans have difficulty under duress and captivity. They tend to look for anything that will relieve their boredom and, unless properly trained, are willing to do anything to keep themselves occupied."
Starfire shook her head. Humans were a continual source of puzzlement to her.
"So," continued Raven, "where do we go from here?"
Robin pondered, "Well, we know he was here. I read the last entry that he wrote in his journal. I'm assuming, given what Beast Boy has told us, that room was where he was being held captive. Obviously he's been moved from there. I suspect that he's no longer in town. Beast Boy, was there any sign of recent activity in the room?"
"Couldn't tell. There was no recent food there, at least I couldn't smell anything. Didn't even see a bed in there, so it might have been moved out."
"OK, so, most likely Carter is no longer in the Order headquarters. While he could have been moved to another location, my suspicion is that he's on board the ship mentioned in the journal. It would make sense. They need him for reading and translation and it would explain why his journal was left behind. They probably rushed him aboard ship before he knew what was going on."
"So," asked Starfire, "we are to follow the trail of the ship?"
Robin let out a deep sigh. "No way to tell at this point. They left weeks ago. They could be anywhere in the Atlantic or the Pacific Oceans. Trying to find one small ship would be almost pointless. Besides, I think we have a more pressing issue."
Most of the titans looked confused at this statement. Robin looked at Cyborg. "Cy, Vic, you're hearing the voices and the wings again, aren't you?"
Cyborg had been silent during the entire discussion, his eyes staring off into space, looking at a vision only he could see. When Robin spoke to him, he started. "No. Not at all, what makes you think…" He let out a long breath "Yeah, it came back when I saw that miserable statue. Can't get the image out of my mind. Don't know how to deal with it. Hearing things, all the time. Don't know if it's worse than before, but can't shake the feeling, we're being watched, tracked."
"In that case," said Raven, "we need to reboot you. Can we do it here?"
"No, I need the main computers back at the Tower."
"Then we go back to Titans Tower." Said Raven.
"Whoa, Dudes, first we go back to the college. Beast Boy saved the day again."
The four titans looked at their green companion. "What are you talking about?" asked Robin.
A smirk crossed the changeling's face, followed by one of his trademark wide grins. "Bird Boy, yours truly has got us out of our mess with Dr. Warren. While I was in the headquarters I found a real old copy of that miserable book. It had a copy of the page Star set afire and I ripped it out. Look in the back, I stuffed it in there."
The boy wonder opened the book to the back and sure enough, the missing page was there.
"Beast Boy, I can't believe I'm saying this," said Raven in her normal monotone, "but you actually came through for us." In an undertone, "the world must be ending."
"Come on Rae, you know I'm a hero without peer."
"I didn't know you knew the word peer."
"Sure I do, it means to look at something. I'm a hero who doesn't even have to look at what he's doing." Raven rolled her eyes.
With the resumption of the normal banter between Beast Boy and Raven, the mood in the tent lightened considerable, despite the seriousness of Cyborg's mental condition. To some extent, that was the reason for the banter, both Raven and Beast Boy, without actually realizing it, were trying in their own way to ease Cyborg's mind.
Unfortunately, it was not Cyborg's mind that needed easing. While both Robin and Cyborg were looking at the chromatic couple with grins on their faces, Starfire was staring out into space. While she was by no means the detective Robin was, she had her own brand of intellect. She also had her own priorities which were very different.
The princess from the stars jumped to her feet shouting, "X'HAL! NO!" and sent an energy blast down at the floor. "Friends, we have to go, there is no time."
The other four looked at each other, "Star," inquired Robin, "what are you talking about? We're at a bit of a dead end until Carter or the ship resurfaces."
"We must find that ship, NOW!"
"Star, it's at sea, one ship in the entire ocean is almost impossible. Especially if they are trying NOT to be found."
"Still we must try and we must succeed. AND WE MUST GO NOW!"
"Look, Starfire," continued Robin, "I know I said we would look for R'yleh, but right now Cyborg needs attention."
"I am sorry about that, but this has to take precedence. Maybe Raven can take Cyborg back to the tower and join us later, we MUST LEAVE!"
At this, Raven interrupted, "Starfire, what is so important that it needs to be done right now?"
Starfire took a deep breath. "I have learned much from my time on your world, especially from you Robin. You have told me in investigating a crime to focus on three things: Means, Motive and Opportunity. I have just been applying your methodology."
"The Esoteric Order of Dagon, and the town of Innsmouth, worship Great Cthulhu. Therefore they have the Motive. They have a ship and know where the sunken city of R'yleh is." Robin started at that. "At least, they suspect they know, assuming it is on earth. That is the Opportunity."
"Now," continued Starfire, "you have shown me that they had the page that contained the ritual for reviving dead Cthulhu AND A SCHOLAR WHO CAN READ IT! That is the Means."
"It is too late to evacuate the earth. We must find the Order of Dagon and stop them. Before they do the unthinkable and raise Great Cthulhu."
The silence that dropped on the other four titans was frightening in its totality. While they actually had no true concept of Cthulhu, or the dangers raised by his existence, the single-mindedness that characterized Starfire's behavior gave them pause. The eternally happy princess's entire demeanor had changed. Anything that generated this had to be of major significance.
"Starfire," began Raven, "there's no way. The ocean is too large, there's too much to search. How could we find a ship that we have no idea of where it is? It could still be in the Atlantic, or worse yet, in the South Pacific, the largest ocean on earth."
"Yeah Star, it took Gilligan almost twenty years to be found, and he was on an island. This is a small ship." Beast Boy piped up.
Raven looked at the green hero and let out a groan, "Don't try to help. That was just a TV show." Pausing for a moment, she continued, "Even so, it gives a good example of the challenges facing us."
"Nevertheless," the heroine replied, "It MUST be done, or all existence will come to an end."
"Assuming that R'yleh is on earth," finished Raven.
"There might be a way." Robin interrupted. This time it was the other four titans' turn to stare at him. He was pacing furiously back and forth, thinking, considering their options.
"Dude, you've got to be kidding. You can find a small ship in the OCEAN?"
"Hmm, no, but maybe we can find the island and beat them there."
"Robin," said Raven, there's no guarantee there is an island, or that we can find it somewhere in the vast Pacific."
"No, but we have a slender lead. Remember that letter from the first mate? In it, he said the cult was looking for a lost city that had the location of their sacred island. He even gave the general location of the city. It's easier to search for one city, and possibly learn the island's location that go through the entire Pacific."
"And what about rust bucket over here," interrupted Beast Boy. "We can't leave Vic in his current state. We gotta get him some help. Cthulhu or not, Cyborg's our immediate priority."
"Perhaps Raven could take our friend back to the Tower and the two of you could meet us later in our search? I do not wish to seem cold, but Great Cthulhu is a danger to all that lives everywhere. There is no time left."
"Whoa, time out folks." For the first time, Cyborg entered the conversation. "I'm not going anywhere and leaving you guys stranded."
Raven turned to him, "Victor, this is your mind! If we don't reboot your memory, you might suffer permanent damage."
"That's a chance I'll have to take. Maybe we can find some way to erase part of my memory later. Maybe this will come in handy at some point. But there is NO WAY I'm leaving you to face this alone."
The determination on the cybernectic teen's face was such that, although all of his friends wanted to talk him out of it, they could see it was hopeless. Their only chance was speed and the hope that somewhere, somehow, they could help their friend with the horrors that were invading his mind.
"All right Bird Boy," Beast Boy continued in a rather sullen temper. The thought of his best bud going through major mental damage upset him. "Where do we go?"
Rifling through the journal, Robin picked out the coordinates, "76° 15' 113° 10'"
"Yeah, and for those of us who DON'T know everything?"
"Antarctica, or as Eliot put it, the frozen land. If I remember correctly, there's a very large mountain range in that area, little explored. Anything could be hidden there."
"Wonderful," spat Beast Boy in disgust, "you know how many forms I can take in that temperature? Not many. No flying, no large animals, the only birds I can use are penguins. Hope we don't run into anything down there. It'll be too cold to fight them."
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
And now, we begin our third arc. Lovecraft did not write any 'real' novels. At best he wrote some long novellas or short novels. The best of the short novels is considered one of the best horror novels ever written, "At the Mountains of Madness". We will be traveling there next on our journey through the works/worlds of Lovecraft. Prepare yourselves.
Meanwhile, while the total number of hits for this story increased a couple of weeks ago, boy, have they slowed down now. Only 13 hits for that last chapter. Still, of the 13, five left reviews/comments. I'm thrilled to have such dedicated readers. Even if it gets down to only one, I promise, I will finish the story.
On to the reviewers,
ForceIsStrongWithThisOne – Believe it or not, I had this little letter planned out almost from the beginning. And the ending (suicide) is consistent with many of Lovecraft's protagonists.
Emotionalpoemgirl – Yep, got it in one. Still, that doesn't quite answer the question of 'Where IS everyone?' We're done with Innsmouth, but not with the Esoteric Order of Dagon.
DownwardSpiral1 – Figured SOMEONE would get the reference. Glad you're enjoying this. Outside of the fight between BB & Robin, these three chapters have been my favorites so far.
Novus Ordo Seclorum – Wondered what happened to you. Glad you're back. OK, the time for clues and explanations is done. We know what's happening and why. Now it's time for the pursuit, a race against time through the worst of Lovecraft (not quality, but in terms of horror) to stop the rise of Cthulhu.
Flood125 – Glad you're enjoying this as well. I think I have a surprise or two in store along the way. As for whether or not Cthulhu rises, we shall see.
Until next time my friends, sleep well.