Chapter 8: In the Hearts of Mankind.
'Why are we going back into a building we know is haunted?' Kara wondered at Alex's insane logic.
'We need to go figure out why our teachers have been replaced by odd imposters.' Alex stated turning to face her, walking backwards. 'And we need to figure out why no-one's noticed it.'
'We noticed it, we noticed that Tepp had gone from meek and mild, to scary super teacher.' Ceaser stated as he lagged behind Kara.
'Huh...? What are you doing here?' Curse the void! They had crossed paths with the headmaster!
'Isn't this technically breaking the rules?'
'Erm... No?' Kara suggested.
The headmaster considered it for a while. 'Well... I guess not. But the rules are there for a reason, although sometimes the reason escapes me... As you were, kids...' he yawned before walking on, as though sleepwalking.
'Remember what I said; stay in the light...' Ceaser stated as they browsed amongst the reference section of the darkened library. 'I still don't see why I should...' Kara stated, folding her arms as she shone her flashlight around. 'Let me see that.' Ceaser had found the book and it was immediatly snatched from his hands by Alex he browsed through the dry ancient pages randomly, skimming over the information within. He dropped the book onto a desk, it fell open on a page. "AZATHOTH" Kara approached him, reading over his shoulder. '"The nuclear maelstrom at the center of the universe, it is a mindless creator that is lulled to sleep constantly, keeping it's heartless desires from warping reality to its random whims.'"
'OK, Mr Psychic.' Ceaser nudged Alex. 'Use your powers, see the truth.'
'I...' Alex stopped to sigh. 'Very well.' he shut his eyes and placed a hand against the page. Kara watched as Alex cringed suddenly before pulling his hand free- emerald eyes snapping open-.
'Oh.. OK! The headmaster's Azathoth!'
'We just spoke with God, basically?' Kara wondered as Alex turned the page.
'"Yog Sothoth: A creature that is both all of this universe and is nothing, bound both within and without this reality; it sees all and knows all."' Once more Alex placed a hand to the page. 'Ugh.. Y-yep, it's our vibrant haired librarian.' he shuddered.
'If... Our librarian is a monster... What does that make Whateley?' Ceaser wondered. Alex shrugged before turning the page. '" The Crawling Chaos, Nyarlathotep." I... I don't wanna touch this page guys... I think I already know who it is...' And I don't want my feelings to be true, please... Alex touched the book.
Pyschometry... Memories with strong emotions often have a nasty habit of sticking to nearby objects. People who are sensitive to these energies can see the memories within upon touching the object. Alex took a seat in the library, massaging his temple as he struggled to calm his throbbing head. 'Bloody hell... That hurt!' he groaned. Ceaser clapped him solidly on the shoulder.
'Well done, Alex.'
'You 'Kay, Alex? You look a bit... Pale.' Kara wondered. Alex groaned in reply, burying his head into his arms.
'I don't feel well...' Alex groaned. 'I wanna go home...'
Kara shivered, feeling the temperature dive, her breath steaming up. 'Where is it, Alex? Show us.'
Alex gave a small groan before- without looking up- he pointed in the direction of the library door. There, near the door, Kara could feel something. Something where the shadows became deeper into utter darkness. Something was watching them.
'Ahh, you couldn't resist coming back for a book, huh?' all of them turned to look for the source of the voice, standing at the opposite end of the library was the fake Tepp... Again with dark souless eyes that seemed to be of the void themselves.
'What are you?' Alex demanded, stumbling to his feet as he clutched his head.
'Me? I am the begining and end of all things, I am you, you are me.' he stated.
'You... You're a monster!' Alex managed, getting right up close. 'I hate you...'
He was cut off as the soulless monster grabbed him by the throat and lifted him clean off his feet. 'Alex!' Kara gasped.
'I should kill you now, you filthy half breed!' he demanded, tightening his grip. Kara felt the same electric charge build up in the air as Alex began to struggle more. She ducked, and screamed, dragging Ceaser down with her as books began to fly from their shelves, before an enitre bookshelf collapsed onto the floor. Then something came howling from the darkness, seizing the fake Tepp and sending him flying across the room. Alex hit the ground, coughing as he struggled for breath, head throbbing and feeling about to explode. 'Alex?' Kara reached him first, crawling amongst the scattered books. Alex looked over at her; he was pale, veins throbbing over his forehead, and dark, thick blood dripping from his left nostril.
The fake Tepp continued to laugh as whatever it was tore into him; crimson marks appearing on his skin and shredding clothes. The students fled with the Necronomicon, leaving the monster to... Whatever it was. 'Oh, hello, kids...' They passed Azathoth in the corridors again. 'Are you done for the day? Have a nice weekend...'