Episode Transcript
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SPEAKER_00 (00:00):
The following
podcast is a work of fiction.
All characters are the creationof Peter Williams.
Any resemblance to someoneliving or dead is purely
coincidental.
Thank you.
Preparations are being made toopen Zack into a vessel.
While Warren discovers too latethat Silas has flown the coupe
(00:23):
and slip through his fingers.
Meanwhile, Alex is in hotpursuit.
But before we begin, before wecan get to all of that, I need
to remind you that this podcastmay contain images of graphic
violence, adult situations,child endangerment, and naughty,
(00:44):
salty language.
Now, now let us makepreparations of our own this
Tentacle Tuesday as we beginchapter 7.
Dark Preparations.
Silas checked the rearviewmirror to make sure the cargo
was secure.
(01:05):
Although unable to see Zack inthe box, he could hear him
whimpering, crying for hismommy, crying for his daddy, and
even a slight prayer to God.
Like he'd help him, Silaslaughed to himself.
God had let his own son die in ahorrific manner to save these
creatures that couldn't bebothered with him.
(01:25):
All God was to them was an ATMmachine, the god of give me,
give me, give me.
And unlike Santa Claus, theycould ask all year round.
Because, not being heavilysarcastic here, God wants you to
have everything.
Disgusting.
It was for these reasons he hadleft the faith, betrayed his
(01:46):
calling, delving deeper anddeeper into the occult, only the
worm cold hard truth.
Cassandra had shown him howwormwood wasn't something that
come via revelations.
It was all humanity was, is, andwill always be a sack of walking
maggots.
They needed to be destroyed.
They needed to be removed fromcreation.
(02:08):
That would allow Ekmalak toclaim it for his own.
He could take this refuse ofhumanity, molded in his image.
A dark, horrific thing thatblots out light and sun, twisted
bone and flesh wrapped up in aconducive sack, conducive to any
environment.
More like pods of walking wastethan anything else.
(02:31):
A poison shadow of pure blight.
He plugged his phone and pulledup the map application.
From here he could head to theIpswitch.
More precisely, the cemeterythere.
It was old.
Older than humanity thought.
There he would hide in themausoleum until she arrived and
the dark ceremony could begin.
Oh, he had preparations to make.
(02:53):
He would need to strip Zach downto his skis, put oils and paint
marks on his skin.
It was why they had drugged him,bound him, gagged him.
They couldn't risk him gettingaway.
The one thing that had surprisedhim was how eager Cassandra was
to intervene on his behalf withthis Stevens fellow.
Apparently, they had a past.
(03:14):
She wouldn't discuss it,although she asked over and over
about a sword.
I haven't seen any signs of norany weapons, he told her.
Of course, I haven't been insidethe coffee shop itself.
Nor could he get inside.
Besides, the smell of the place,it gave him a sense of dread.
Are you sure about that girlbeing Alex Kuchma?
(03:38):
Yes, mistress.
I would recognize her anyway.
Fine.
I will leave the girl in yourhands, Silas.
But that man, Lauren Stevens,he's to be mine.
As you wish, he replied.
It disappointed him that hefailed to get Alex.
(03:59):
He had plans for her if he did,but every time he neared that
coffee shop, he could feelsomeone, something eyeing him.
The box behind him began makinga thumping sound.
Ah, the boy must have woken up.
I wonder how he likes hiscoffee.
He could hear Zack banging on ita couple times, and Silas
couldn't help but mock him.
(04:21):
Yes, who is it?
Oh never mind, it's Zack, right?
Enjoying your view?
That's right, there is none.
How about the velvet lining?
Nice and smooth, mm?
Nicole says you likes nice andsmooth things to play with.
The box went back to beingquiet.
(04:42):
Four more hours of this.
He wondered what else he coulddo to help darken the mood.
Music.
Bad music.
No, not Enya or Siya.
They're bad, but he neededsomething that could make a man
lose his mind.
Kids' songs, of course.
The wheels in the hurts go roundand round, round and round,
(05:03):
round and round.
The wheels in the hurts go roundand round as Zack heads out of
town.
The box began to thump hard fora moment or two and then went
quiet again.
And once again, he could hearZack whimpering.
Warren stared at the small moteljust on the outskirts of West
(05:24):
Hollow.
It was your classic Roach Motel.
15 small rooms set in rows offive in an L shape.
Not many cars were parked here.
Business was more of a nighttimeaffair than 1300 hours.
That's 1 p.m.
for those who don't knowmilitary time.
Yes, of course, there were someunsavory deals going down: a
(05:45):
rusty-colored band in one carwith vapor rising out of its
windows, a few lost souls lyingby doors under makeshift
blankets, and an old lady halfin, half out of a dumpster.
Putting down his binoculars andopening up the card where he
grabbed a sack of sandwiches,and then Warren trekked down
towards the place.
He quietly distributed a clip of$200 per homeless person along
(06:07):
with a meal, and then callingover to the old lady, he hands
her the rest of the sandwich.
Little did she know that eachone had$100 attached to them.
He hoped.
And if you're wondering, Warrendidn't need to worry about
money.
Jack had left enough to build akingdom, and his own retirement
had kept him fed and warm too.
(06:28):
Finally, finished with his gooddeed, he approached a room Silas
was renting.
He looked for traps.
He had nearly lost Donaldson inone year ago and promised never
to allow that to happen again.
Nothing.
The door was unlocked.
That meant nothing good would beon the other side.
Drawing his gun, he turned theknob and aimed a flashlight into
(06:50):
the darkness.
He could hear somethingslithering inside.
unknown (06:54):
Crap.
SPEAKER_00 (06:55):
There was definitely
something waiting to greet him
here, and he was pretty surewho.
He pulled back the hammer on theold colt and swung the door
open.
A flash of red eyes met him, andthe sound of sawing teeth met
his ears.
Cassandra congealed herself intoa familiar shape, the form of
Geraldine Hicks.
(07:15):
That won't work on me,Cassandra, he barked.
I know she's dead, and I knowshooting you won't hurt her.
Oh, but it makes me feel so muchmore alive.
She mocked.
I mean, if we're having atouching reunion, I might as
well dress appropriately.
He raised his gun at hersadistic smile and pulled the
(07:38):
trigger.
But she shrank back downwardsinto something smaller,
something even more painful.
His 10-year-old son Jack nowstood looking up at him.
You're not gonna shoot me, areyou, Daddy?
The moment of hesitation crossedWarren as Cassander shot an
oozing tendril of black elkacross the room, just nearing
his heart.
Warren grimaced at the pain asblood spread across his chest.
(08:02):
The gun goes off, missing, andCassander smiles at the
detective's pain.
You're bleeding out, Detective!Why I am in no distress
whatsoever.
That's how it appears, Warrenretorts.
And unlike me, you will dieagain.
(08:22):
That would seem to be correct.
But I'll tell you what,Detective.
Huh?
Warren showed no concern as hecontinued to bleed.
Cassandra reached towards him,expanding to a form that could
be best described as a bubble.
I wouldn't want to deny thatdarling girl, her latest father.
(08:42):
Let's take this to your coffeeshop, where I can leave you like
a crucified rat on the cafewall.
Warren gives her a half-smile.
Don't underestimate Alex,Cassandra.
She may be able to do, but Icould not.
This time Cassandra sneers.
I told you, I'm immortal.
(09:04):
I am the end of all things.
The bubble overtakes Warren, whocan only barely keep his grip on
reality as the darknesssurrounds him.
I see, he said as he began todrift into unconsciousness.
You are the embodiment of thelabyrinth.
All those things they hear,trapped inside you.
(09:29):
Cassandra didn't bother torespond.
Instead, she liquefied and slidherself towards the sink and
into the drainage.
She traversed the sewers andcircumnavigate the defenses of
the cafe.
There she would leave poor Alexanother dead parent.
How sweet! And just in time forher birthday.
(09:50):
Alex pressed Dot into what wassupposed to be Zack's seat.
Where's Zack?
I don't! Don't you dare say youdon't know, Husk! I have no
issue burning you here and now.
But if I tell if you think thatCassandra bitch is bad.
The energy around Alex begins toswirl, and Mr.
Howard goes weak in the knees.
(10:11):
He's being transferred to anancient graveyard in um Ipswich.
Ipswich?
SPEAKER_01 (10:18):
That's over half a
day away.
SPEAKER_00 (10:20):
Yes, and by now,
Master Silas will have gone far
enough ahead to He neverfinished the statement.
Alex turned and struck him sohard he flew backwards into the
blackboard.
Really?
Alex replies to the unconsciousteacher.
Then you won't mind me boringyour car keys.
It wasn't long before Alex wasdownstairs in Mr.
(10:41):
Howard's RAV 4.
It had some nice being a pushstart and a decent sized view
screen to display maps on.
She plugged her phone in andpulled up the old cemetery in
Ipswich.
She knew Warren probably didn'thave his old flip phone on, so
she decided to call the cafeinstead.
They had a landline there forbusiness purposes, and they also
(11:03):
had an answer machine.
You have reached a waywardcoffee shop or away at the
moment.
Please leave a message.
Dad, it's Alex.
SPEAKER_01 (11:14):
They've got Zack.
And they're headed to the oldcemetery in Ipswich.
I am in pursuit.
Dad, you were right!
SPEAKER_00 (11:21):
They plan on using
him for a vessel for the line
went dead.
She tried to check theconnection, but she had plenty
of bars.
Why?
She wanted to check on him tomake sure the old man was okay.
But if she did that, Zack woulddefinitely be lost.
Possibly humanity too.
Damn it! She pressed theaccelerator and made sure she
(11:43):
had Donaldson's badgeinformation ready if she got
pulled over.
She would have to hope thatWarren was right, that she had
backup coming.
With that thought, she decidedto make another call.
Call Caitlin Maxwell.
The screen lit up and the phonebegan to dial for Cafe
Solfeggio.
Luciano had insisted that theyat least had a dumb phone after
(12:05):
the Paladin incident.
Too much time was lost relyingon either Maggie or reaching
Caitlin on her landline.
Time.
It was something she had verylittle of right now.
SPEAKER_01 (12:15):
Come on, answer,
answer.
Cafe Solfeggio! Yes.
Hello, this is Alex Kutch.
I mean it's demons.
I desperately need to speak withsomeone.
Either Caitlin or Luciano.
Hold on!
SPEAKER_00 (12:32):
The phone went quiet
for a moment and she could hear
her own heart beating as shewaited.
Finally, an old, sweet butstrong voice answered.
SPEAKER_02 (12:41):
Hello, Alex.
SPEAKER_01 (12:43):
What can I help you
with?
Caitlin.
Oh, thank the word.
Is there any way I could reachLuciano?
Jonah or Sam?
SPEAKER_00 (12:52):
Alex knew about Sam.
She had partnered with Sam a fewyears ago.
It was an odd experience andpart of her wish the two of them
could have continued to worktogether, but Alice and Sam had
found each other accidentally.
Their bond and friendship wassomething that Alex could never
imagine interfering with.
What's wrong, dear?
(13:13):
Alex explained everything as shedrove.
Like before, the line wentquiet.
Finally, Caitlin spoke.
SPEAKER_02 (13:19):
I look confirmed
with Sam, and we will get seven
to back you up as soon aspossible.
Thanks, Caitlin.
Alex?
Yes.
Be very careful.
Tie it away for us.
Engaging on your own could costyou.
SPEAKER_01 (13:37):
We can't afford to
lose you right now.
Copy, Caitlin.
Copy.
And trust me, I know.
SPEAKER_00 (13:47):
An unanswered call.
A bleeding detective.
A race to Ipswich.
And a dark being taking revenge.
What will happen?
How or will Warren escape?
Find out as we turn to chaptereight.
Fading Souls.