Cthulhu from Yuggoth

by Maximoff 3000

  "Danny! Dinners ready! Come on down!" Danny stared silently out the window. He rubbed his fingers together. There was a bit of a tingle. "Danny!"

  ................

  "Yes mom. I'm here."

  "Oh! You scared me. I didn't hear you come down."

  Chapter 8:

  St. Philip's Cathedral, England

  "Well, what happened?", the pupil said, studying his teachers face.

  "I.... I don't know... It was a vision I think. A warning.", Father Hibbert spoke in a shaky voice.

  "A warning of what?"

  "Some.. Thing..."

  "Father?", Darius grasping Father Hibbert's shoulders. Father Hibbert's body slumped limply in his chair. "Arnold! Arnold, get a glass of water quickly."

  Darius carefully lowered Father Hibbert to the floor, laying him flat on the carpeting. In the meantime, Arnold returned carrying a glass of water, "What's wrong?" "I'm not sure. When I came in, he looked as if he'd seen a ghost. He was quite shaken. Then he just fainted right there."

  Darius poured some water in his hand and sprinkled it across Father Hibbert's forehead. Then raising his head slightly, gave him a drink. Father Hibbert took the liquid grumbling as he did so. "Father, can you hear me?"

  Father Hibbert blinked several times. He lay flat on the floor a moment. "Oh... Thank you. I appreciate it."

  "That's alright. Are you feeling better?"

  "Yes, I think I'll be fine.", Father Hibbert holding out a hand.

  "You scared us there for a minute."

  "Yes, I'm truly sorry. I don't know what came over me."

  "You mentioned a sort of vision."

  "Yes, it was something of that nature."

  "What did you see?"

  "Nothing much really, just a few words. It said, it would rise from the depths, and that the dawn of white Genocide was not far off. But the feeling that accompanied it was so much more. Like a thickness that overtook my mind."

  Chapter 9:

  New Orleans, Louisiana

  At five minutes to nine, Earl Wesson glances to the right shoulder of Hwy 10 as a rusty blue sign passes, Nineteen mile bridge, it states. Earl switches on his high beams. With an elbow laid halfway out the window, he leans to his left just slightly. A humid breeze brushes against Earl's tattered red cap as he listens to the barrage of amphibious calls that reverberate from the expansive swamp below. Taking a drag off his cigarette, Earl sits

  back to enjoy the peace of the desolate highway. There's a light fog that lingers over the elevated road. Earl isn't bothered by this though, he's driven the lengthy bridge so many times he hardly slows to eighty. Standing silently in the night, a phone booth passes. Although he's never stopped to use one, it's like seeing an old friend. Yep, in the forty years he's been passing over the damp, smelly pool, Earl's never had a breakdown, never run out of gas.

  The fog begins to thicken a bit more as Earl crosses the so familiar halfway point. Residue collects on the windshield as he wades through dense patches. But suddenly, Earl's thoughts converge momentarily as his eyes rotate downward and to the left. His vision is focused on the tapping index finger of his left hand. It confounds him. Why? Because of the harmonious beat it carries? No, there is another attribute that intrigues him so. As the lone digit collides with the plastic lining of the window sill, a single thought lingers in his mind, "I can hear it. I can hear the tapping of my finger. I can hear it over the hundreds of frogs. But wait.... no, that is not true. For, there are no frogs to overcome. There is only silence. Silence as there has never been before. Not a single squawk of a toad, or chirp of a cricket." And before the thought can be completed, Earl's eyes instantly shoot back up to the pavement as the silhouette of a pedestrian cuts through the murky air. Earl slams the breaks as the wheel is jerked to the side. The trusty

  Chevy swerves across a yellow stripe then a white. The skidding vehicle finally comes to a stop in a lane reserved for traffic traveling in the opposite direction. Luckily, there is none present. Earl exhales a sigh of relief then quickly turns his head to verify the existence of this wandering pedestrian. A sickly looking female in her mid twenties stood quietly in the middle of the street. Earl pulls the handle on his door. It swings outward with a creak as Earl exits the vehicle. "You alright ma'am?", Earl questioned as he rounded the rear of the cockeyed v-8. She said nothing. "You need a ride?", Earl inquired once again. "Yeeeeaaahhh....", the girl responded in a gurgling voice as she walked slowly towards the truck. Earl opened the door in a gentlemanly manor. Dropping wearily into the seat, the girl put her head back and closed her eyes. Earl closed the door then quickly made his way back to the driver seat. "So, where to?", Earl asked, as he shifted a knob to align it with a faint D. "Ggg hhh.....", a gurgly voice replied. As the Chevy commenced it's eastern path, the cab began to fill with a stench of fish and urine. Earl leaned his head toward the window, not so much as to offend his passenger, but enough to clear his burning nostrils every now and again.

  Rolling her head towards Earl, the girl gazed blankly at her driver. "So, how'd you end up so far out here anyway?", Earl spoke as to break the uneasy silence. The girl grabbed Earl's thigh. Jumping at the

  unexpected aggression, Earl swerved only slightly. Earl grinned, glancing over at the seemingly euphoric female, but dauntingly he felt more unnerved than arousal. As the cold extension caressed his tense limb it felt as if a handful of night crawlers wriggled upon his skin. Making an attempt at self reassurance, Earl glanced quickly in his peripheral down past the steering column. None came as darkness engulfed the entirety of the vehicle's interior. Her aggression progressed, entering the undergarments of the balding, middle aged factory worker. A sensation of miniscule pricks came over his entire lower body, and a symphony of faint clicks seemed to pester his ear drums. Earl made another grinning gesture towards his almost unconscious looking provocateur. He felt stupid for not enjoying the rare encounter, but the cold alien touch only increased his unease. "Gas one mile", a sign read as it flew by at a blurring speed. "Thank God", Earl thought as he contemplated turning into the well lit parking area of the filling station.

  Rubber tires ground pebbles against cement as Earl pulled into the familiar Valero. He hurriedly aimed his vehicle towards a bright blend of florescent light. Upon reaching the desired spot, Earl returned the shifter to park. He felt a slight relief knowing he could now put his worries to rest and enjoy the company of his passenger. But as Earl's eyes turned to meet the awaiting pair beside him, shock overcame him as the

  face of his young mistress was like that of a cheap Halloween mask, an empty husk draped upon a dusty headrest. Earl's larynx resonated a squeal like that of a tiny girl with no concern for who heard. In a moment of fright he yanked the door handle. Shoving the exit hatch open, Earl leapt from the confinement, falling clumsily to the pavement. In his haste he failed to take note of the state of his lower extremities, the original purpose for seeking out the illuminated area. And as the situation revealed itself, Earl let out yet another terrified cry. Swiping frantically at his torso his agony continued it's reign. The provider of such emotions being that of a massive insectan swarm gorging upon his lower half. The carnivorous vermin instantly converged on any clearance Earl obtained with his retaliation as if by magnetic force. Turning away, Earl shredded his fingernails as he raked them across the pavement, savagely attempting to escape. Before Earl had made even a tiny advancement towards victory, a massive tendril emerged from the dark mass puddled in the passenger seat. It thrashed out the door, securing a tight grip around Earl's neck, then like a skilled angler, yanked in the catch.

  Chapter 10:

  At sea

  The sun was beginning to set and there was still no sight of land. Trish's stomach rumbled, "Is there, like, anything to eat?" Tim rubbed a hand across his midsection, "I don't know. I'll look around."

  Dave and Fred could be heard fumbling though miscellaneous items in the cab. After a few moments, Dave appeared holding a small pink fishing rod, "Hey,
look what I found!" Tim looked at Dave, asking with a grin, "Do you even know how to use that thing?" Dave returned, "Pff... Please, you just watch. I'll be reelin' in a sword fish in no time." "Yeah right, I'd like to see that.", Tim doubting Dave's ability. Everyone chuckled. "Alright then.", Dave said releasing the hook.

  After about forty-five minutes, everyone sat staring in amazement at Dave's angling skills as he had managed to pull in five decent sized fish. They flipped and flopped helplessly on the deck. "Well, here they are. I guess all we got to do now is gut 'em and cook 'em up." "Maybe we could make a fire in this", Tim suggested, handing Dave a small metal can. "O.K., now we need something to burn." Fred revealed a small pocket knife, "How 'bout some of this?", he said prying a piece of wood from the siding of the boat. "I guess it's the best we got for now", Dave said, throwing the kindling into the make-shift oven.

  As the hours passed, the boat slowed to a drift. Other than the almost obsolete flame flicking about in the tiny aluminum cylinder, and a dim crescent playing peek-a-boo in the clouds, the landscape was completely immersed in darkness. It was eerie being away from the city. Only when you leave the modernized world of man behind do you know what real darkness looks like.

  Chapter 11:

  Newark, New Jersey

  "Danny! Please come out! You have to get ready for school!" "No!", Danny screamed, holding the door shut! "Danny! You get out here this instant!", Carry pushing against the wooden barrier. "I wanna read!" "You've been locked in there for two days strait. It's time to put that damn book down and go to school!" "Never!", the tone was suddenly different. One not of a ten year old child, but that of a man. "Danny, is there someone in there with you?", Carry slamming her body against the door with the absolute greatest force she could muster! The obstacle burst forth. Carry instantly

  searched the entirety of the closet. Within was nothing more than hanging shirts, some scattered toys, and Danny. "Danny, who was that talking?"

  "Get out!"

  "Danny, what's wrong with you? How are you doing that?"

  "Leave!"

  "Danny please stop!", Carry leaning down grasping her son. Danny bit her arm.

  "Be gone!", he said scratching his mother across the face. She tried to retreat but fell backwards. Danny glared into his mother's eyes, "DRTH IMOPH AHZVILUN ET' QMIB." As he spoke the alien phrase, Danny chewed his tongue and ground his teeth. A thin strand of blood ran down his chin. Carry lay terrified, staring at her son.

  Chapter 12:

  Mumbai, India

  The city is alive with activity. A man on a bicycle rides swiftly past pedestrians sitting lackadaisically upon the steps of one residence. A respectful gesture is made and responded to with a wave and smile. Children play in the street or upon sidewalks interchangeably as the sun touches the rooftops. Cracks leap from house to house providing character and familiarity while colorful linens hang upon window frames for a sense of individuality. Near the heart of this thriving habitation sits a cozy domicile squeezed tightly between two towering neighbors. Inside, an eager juvenile preps for the evening's activities. Carefully tending his hair and dress, Hamdus fidgets in anticipation of his coming date. The itinerary has been thoroughly meditated upon, no childish antics this time, no loss of respect. He had squandered previous relations before, he knew that. But now it was time to grow up, show 'em what he's made of. Hamdus took one last look in the mirror, "Time to become a man."

  Hamdus strode quickly down the decrepit roads of Mumbai. Passersby spoke greetings that would fall on deaf ears in Hamdus' haste. He must hurry, "There is a schedule to be kept", he thought. As Hamdus rounded a corner, his first appointment appeared before him, Ris' house. He approached the shabby dwelling. In his

  hurried state, Hamdus stumbled slightly on the stairs, "I must focus. Can't be making careless mistakes." His knuckles banged against the wooden paneling in a steady beat.

  "Oh, hi Ham. How are you this afternoon?"

  "Very well, and yourself?"

  "Good. Let me get Ris."

  Hamdus stood patiently at the bottom of the stoop, beads of sweat formed across his brow. The temperature outside was a humid seventy-nine degrees, but not the cause of his perspiration. That occupation was reserved for his racing heart and unsettled nerves. Ham's thoughts raced as he stood tapping his quivery digits on the handrail.

  Suddenly, with the squeak of rusty hinges, the door opened revealing the stunning young female that was Hamdus' date. "Wow.. Ris, that dress looks great!" Ris blushed in embarrassment and turned her head away, "Oh Ham." Ham held out a hand to assist Ris in descending the old stairs. "Look, the festival must be starting.", Ris pointed over a building across the street at a colorful burst in the sky.

  "Must be. Well, ready to go?"

  "Sure."

  Arm in arm, they strode down the street toward the escalating celebration. The venture was a short fifteen minute walk. Upon arrival to the event grounds, the sun had all but disappeared in the distant horizon,

  allowing flaming torches and exploding fireworks to show their zeal to their fullest potential. Ris' eyes lit up as performers displayed incredible acts all around. Ham and Ris sampled a variety of delicacies served by local peddlers. In all the excitement, Hamdus' nervousness had almost completely dissipated. Ham, with a smile, embraced Ris for a dance in the street. Ris lay her head on Ham's shoulder as they swayed to the tranquil beat of festival drums.

  "Oh Ham, this is so wonderful. Thank you so much for being my escort tonight."

  "Believe me Ris, the pleasure is all mine."

  "You're so sweet."

  Ham smiled, "Thanks... I'm a little thirsty. Would you like something to drink?"

  "Yes, thank you."

  "I'll be right back. Don't move." Hamdus quickly spotted a drink vendor across the way. He was toddling along when a costumed festival patron clumsily collided with him, knocking Ham to the pavement. "Sorry about that.", a raspy voice resonated from behind a contorted aquatic looking mask. "No problem.", Hamdus replied, a bit disgruntled. An arm descended towards Ham in a reconciliation effort. Ham grasped the limb as he was lifted to his feet. Upon standing, Hamdus stroked his hand against the backside of his trousers in an attempt to remove any debris that may have become attached during the incident. As he did so, Ham turned to give a

  customary, "Thanks", for the assistance, but as his vision reached the position of expected stance Ham was startled by the absence of his provocateur. Looking around, Ham thought, "Such a disappearing act would be worthy of a stage performance." Then Hamdus took notice of a sensation previously ignored, the diminutive feel of something clenched in his fist, like a wad of leaves. Ham opened his tightened mitt to reveal a tiny parchment. Uncoiling it to observe it's contents, it looked to have a sort of message scribbled upon it, "Ten minutes. Don't be late. You know the consequences."

  Chapter 13:

  At sea

  The four famished teens sat upon the deck of the floating vessel they now regretted boarding. Above, an unrelenting ball of fire pressed down on their bodies, burning their skin, testing there sanity. The food supply was running short, "Not a single bite in the last twenty-four hours.", was the report from Dave. One last half-cooked fish lay upon the deck where it had been since the fire had dissipated the day before. A foul stench was

  beginning to emulate from the discarded carcass. Initially, the fish had been plentiful. Now, with no more than a single rotting aquatic corpse and a sparse drizzle of liquid in the air to douse the unending cravings, everyone sat looking from one to another, wondering who would break first. Who would fall to their undeniable urge to feed and devour the last fish remnant?

  The endless rays eased momentarily as a fluffy white covering drifted beneath the circular blaze from above every now and again. Everyone scrambled in desperation as droplets began tapping the deck. Praises would commence as a cool shower covered the vessel, but as quickly as they appeared, the watery relief would soon vanish. And again the four venturers would lie upo
n the floating skillet, gawping blankly at one another as lust for sustenance steadily overwhelmed all other thoughts.

  Early one morning, Dave woke to a faint scratching. He looked up just in time to see Fred crawling over to the now rancid remains of a 12oz. sunfish. "Hey man, are you sure you want to do that?" Fred glared at Dave with two sunken bloodshot eyes, "Rrrrrrgh.." "Alright, just thought I'd ask." Trish and Tim stirred at the sound of conversation. "What's going on?", Tim said groggily. "Fred's going to eat the fish", Dave answered with a disgusted expression. "Are you shit'n me?" Suddenly, everyone was wide awake

  eagerly viewing the spectacle. Fred buried his face in the fish, gorging. "Are you O.K. Fred?", Trish asked. "Rrrrrgh!" "Trish, stay back! I think he's lost it.", Dave cautioned, holding Trish back.

  Chapter 14:

  St. Philip's Cathedral, England

  "I.... I really don't know what we're dealing with here.", Father Hibbert frantically searching through an extensive collection of literary works.

  "Do you think it could be a sign of the apocalypse?", Darius inquired anxiously.

  "No... Nothing of the sort. I don't think. I can't explain how, but in the moment I only saw words. Accompanying the phrase though, was a feeling. It's like I know the entirety of the coming events, but only as an emotion. Right now the ability to convert it into words is not in me, but I believe when I find the right path I will recognize it without question."