The Elms Chronicles - A Truer Night (Book Two)

By Ken Lehnig

The Elms Chronicles (Book Two)

During a visit to her parents, Dr. Kendra Evans encounters the restless ghost of a young girl who has been raped and murdered. Kendra's visions allow Sheriff Tom Wade to discover the grave of the victim, starting him on a dark and perilous journey that leads him to a terrible force and to his laying in a hospital bed, in a coma.. But Kendra's visions are just the beginning. The young man who has committed the despicable crime is being transformed into something dark and deadly, and Kendra senses that she is mysteriously and inextricably connected to him. Events and intuition reveal to Abigail, Kendra’s former patient and new partner, what has happened in the mystery of the Chambers family and to its last remaining member. Jeffrey. She must find this creature and stop him, and she is joined by her parents, a former boyfriend, a waitress, and a group of strangers, on her march toward confrontation.
The remodeled and haunted plantation, The Elms is now the focus of the story. Kendra, Abigail and two investigators are heading to do a paranormal investigation for Joshua and Jeanie Abrahms, the rightfully terrified owners.

Becca has somehow made a copy of herself while she lies in a hospital bed after an encounter with a dark entity. She gets her bearings and moves to follow Will down to Mississippi. Meanwhile Will is on the road to find Kendra before the now evilly transformed Jeffrey Chambers and his new dark angel army find her.
The story continues.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ken Lehnig
• Release date: Mar 28, 2012
• ISBN: 9781452437194

Ken Lehnig

Ken Lehnig lives in San Diego and is a long-time singer/songwriter, producer musician, poet, author and podcast host for Creatives with Ken Lehnig on Spotify, Breaker, and Goggle Podcasts. Ken's music is on Spotify and most music sites."I have always been interested in the dark at the edge of the light. The reality of the light and dark reality is both in the lit physical world as well as the more dimly lit world of our psyche's. What inhabits that place? What do we do when all that we know is not enough to explain what appears before us?I suppose the relationship between the dark and the light was solidified when I acquired a life-threatening auto-immune disease that introduced me to unbearable pain and put me in a wheelchair for 4 years. Most of the short stories and poems in my books were written during that time. I have looked long and well into the dark, clear that it was to me my destination and have recovered and remain to be a Creative."

Book preview

The Elms Chronicles

Book Two

A Truer Night

By

Ken Lehnig

* * * * *

PUBLISHED BY:

Deep Dry Dark Publishing

The Elms Chronicles

A Truer Night

Copyright © 2012 & 2020 by Ken Lehnig

Cover and Illustrations by Ken Lehnig

Smashwords Edition

License Notes

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The Elms Chronicles - Deeper Well

During a visit to her parents, Dr. Kendra Evans encounters the restless ghost of a young girl who has been raped and murdered. Kendra's visions allow Sheriff Tom Wade to discover the grave of the victim, starting him on a dark and perilous journey that leads him to a terrible force and to his laying in a hospital bed, in a coma. But Kendra's visions are just the beginning. The young man who has committed the despicable crime is being transformed into something dark and deadly, and Kendra senses that she is mysteriously and inextricably connected to him. Events and intuition reveal to Abigail, Kendra’s former patient and new partner, what has happened in the mystery of the Chapman family and to its last remaining member. Jeffrey. She must find this creature and stop him, and she is joined by her parents, a former boyfriend, a waitress, and a group of strangers, on her march toward confrontation.

The remodeled and haunted plantation, The Elms is now the focus of the story. Kendra, Abigail and two investigators are heading to do a paranormal investigation for Joshua and Jeanie Abrahms, the rightfully terrified owners.

Becca has somehow made a copy of herself while she lies in a hospital bed after an encounter with a dark entity. She gets her bearings and moves to follow Will down to Mississippi. Meanwhile Will is on the road to find Kendra before the now evilly transformed Jeffrey Chapman and his new dark angel army find her.

The story continues.

A TRUER NIGHT

Table of Contents:

1. ROSIE’S PLACE

2. GAMES AFOOT

3. WHAT COMES

4. THE CALLING

5. WITNESS

6. CALLED UPON

7. LITTLE THINGS

8. DIVIDED

9. CLEARING

10. STRANGE WANDERINGS

11. DESCENDINGS

12. CAMP

13. SHIELD

14. UNEXPECTED

15. DREAD

16. WORDS UNSUNG

17. ROSIE’S TALE

18. About the Author

The Shadow stands there wrought with dire suspect

No wisdom weighs its voice as to what will beset us

Laughter left, nightmares on us, more and wild dark

We are now lost, even stilled in the bitterest regret

Weary of darkness we gathered forth warriors free

Away we said - grim faced we upon this awful threat

Our homes besieged our peace shattered and undone

Someone must drive the rank and horror into the sea

We go strong about to face such loathsome dawns

Gray skies and raw, dire cold, and screeching wind

Who knows its loathsome name and dreadful plan?

Yet we fear for our lives, cast about, thrown as pawns

Take heart, Fate surely has not this day wrongly penned

A story that would have us lose this well played day.

Before the trumpet blare calls us to our final stand

Our sure path foretold, now until the worlds called end

There is no dark terror greater than an unknown foe

There is no hatred larger than righteous vengeance

Just bitter anger for one who feeds the funeral fires

No profit war when enterprise fills the burial row

Death comes easy, all gone, none right or seen as just

All is asked and all is given to lift the black iron weight

That evil does appear to weaken mans cold resolve

So sad that goodly steel, worn well, will fade and rust

So, whatever this day shall grant we wane and weary

We bare its weight full and take back what is lost

We tread the fated path we brave, we strong, we many

To the mountain’s bitter cold shadowed dark and dreary

So off we go horns blaring a din in the clouded sun

Off we go again to send the dire Beast back to hell

Fight resolved we will to have our will regained

We stay our sorrowed tears for our daughter's son

So pray thee quiet, clear heart, and honor true

That each path turns that single wheel of life

May Providence keep a loving eye on each and all

Grant victory over dark, return the sky to blue

CHAPTER 1

ROSIE’S PLACE

The road will always lie before you

The choice is whether to step or demure

If you turn there will only be another

Your fate on any road is by design unsure

Rosie’s Ruminations

KENDRA AND ABIGAIL

You had sex with Tom?

Abigail looked at Kendra like she didn’t know her.

What are you a nun? We hit it off. Why are you reacting this way?

Kendra ignored the question watching the green Mississippi countryside roll past.

You hungry? We could stop and get something to eat.

Okay! I could eat. You are avoiding the question.

All right. Kendra slammed the wheel with the palms of her hand. I’m a little jealous. I know it is completely illogical and a symptom of an unbalanced mind. Christ, I see ghosts – what do you expect? There you have it. There! She pointed to a small sign on a white wood sided roadside café, surrounded by trees, with a number of pickup trucks parked outside. Seems like the locals like it!

I don’t think that you wanted Tom. So - now, I am going to break some eggs. The whole time I have known you there have been no men in your life. You are a looker, I assume the equipment works, and I am sure you are able to let your hair down. Though I haven’t seen it ‘cept when you go bonkers, and that ‘ain’t’ attractive. You can’t be tight assed all the time. Kendra glared at her smiling friend then looked ahead. Abigail continued, You haven’t hit on me, so I would guess you aren’t gay – ‘cause, you know I have great tits. So I’m left with you just being a crazy broad.

Kendra pulled in, parked, and flipped out her cell phone, and punched in a number. Got bars here. Cool! - Hi Sweetie. Yeah, are you set? Okay! I have a mini-fan rented when you guys land. You have the equipment sent? - You have the directions? - Right! - See you guys tomorrow. She turned to Abigail. The guys will be here tomorrow with the equipment. Abigail sat back with her arms crossed. Look. I am a born again virgin, for whatever reason, and believe me I spend a lot of time thinking about why I have not had a lover since college.

Dear God girl – you mean you haven’t had any boy bunnies messing with your Easter basket in all that time? Sweet Mary -Your vagina is gonna dry up. And I thought the dust cloud that followed behind you was talc. Really? She uncrossed her arms and knitted her brow.

Kendra reached across the seat and rubbed the furrow on Abigail’s brow. That will stick that way. And if there is a cloud it is talc, bitch.

No sex since College. What happened in college to turn you off?

I am not turned off by sex. I had a wonderful lover the whole of my college career, wide open, loving, great, but when I got my Degree, I left him and that is that.

Orgasms?

Yes, you nosey bitch, nearly every time. Sometimes it was just for him, because I am a caring person, but believe me I left nothing on the table with that man. I should have married him, but I didn’t. It seemed like the world’s demands were more important. His name was Will Meader. He was a kind and gentle man and, for whatever reason, I thought I wanted something better.

You mean more dangerous. Gotta test the bad boys don’t we – we women never learn. What happened to him? Did you love him?

I don’t know. No, that’s not true - yeah I did!

Kendra, I had a dream, last night, about a hunk of a man coming for you.

That would be nice. What did he look like?

Tanned, muscular, long black hair and tattoos. He drove a motorcycle – one of those big fancy ones.

Wow. No one I would ever know, and that is a shame. It sounds to me like you better stop reading those romance novels.

I like ‘em! Guilty pleasure.

I am sorry about my reaction. I like Tom and if you two guys hit it off - I am happy for you.

Let’s not send out wedding invitations just yet. Let’s go and be surprised by the folks in this place. Maybe some darling son of the rising Confederacy, who fate has eaten here just as his dream girl walks in the door, will want you to uncross your legs.

Please! We have a job to do.

I’m just saying!

They walked through the slightly rusty screen door and were surprised at the clean homey café inside. Maple tables and chairs stood on rich burgundy carpet. Local artist’s work adorned the walls along with pictures of celebrities, who had also stumbled upon this out of the way southern treasure. One wall was of local stone, with a huge fireplace and hearth. Above the stone mantle a beautifully carved cross dominated the wall. Smiling kind faces rose from the tables to watch them come in. An attractive middle age woman, dressed in a long-tie-dyed skirt and peasant blouse, walked up to them and put out her hand. Her faced glowed, with an honest joy, at seeing them standing inside her doorway.

Welcome to my place. God bless you for finding us. I’m Rosie. The reason there’s not much of a sign outside is ‘cause I want the bad people to drive on by. Only the best people come in here and that must be you two – my newest best friends. She stood and smiled at them as if waiting. Abigail got it first.

I’m Abigail and this is Kendra.

Rosie turned to all the diners and servers, all sitting, or standing, still in anticipation. This is Abigail and Kendra and I am glad they are here. Shout out what they should order.

Hi Kendra. Hi Abigail. The voices returned with shouts of roast beef, fried chicken, and meatloaf. Along with the suggestion was a wave of joyous laughter. Kendra never felt so welcomed in anyplace she had ever been.

Rosie turned back and smiled broadly at the two women. You passed. Come on, let’s get you all a seat. We got Jesus watching over us, good food on the stove, and NASCAR on the kitchen TV. All is right with the world. She winked. At least at my place – won’t have it no other way.

They followed being introduced to everyone along the path. They shock hands and returned smiles as they passed tables. Their table was next to the hearth, comforting, with split wood ablaze.

You two sit here, let me and God comfort and nourish you. Set your minds at peace for just a bit. Rosie rubbed their backs and left to attend to another older man who just walked in.

A young woman sitting with a baby faced, large, man, at a nearby table, smiled and bent over to speak. The first shall be last and the last shall be first. Your table is always held open for special guests. When Rosie sits someone here, she has discerned that you are good people, worthy of such a seat in her home. I’m Sheena and this is Steven. We had some trouble back in Fresno California. My Steven has gifts, and well - we were run out of our church. So, we took to the road. We came through here a couple of years back - stopped in for lunch and stayed. We opened a business here in town, with Rosie’s help and been here ever since. The trouble was sorted out. Rosie straightened it all out. She made sense of it and we found a home here.

Steven mumbled something and went back, in earnest, to the chicken leg he was working on.

Sheena interpreted. He said that Rosie is an angel. I think he’s right. Most folks in here have been helped, by her, in one way or another. Sheena smiled warmly and turned back to eating her meatloaf.

Abigail shrugged and turned to the framed pictures on the wall. She leaned forward and took the picture off the nail. This is just too weird, even for me.

Kendra frowned, ‘What?"

Look! Abigail handed the picture to Kendra. It was a photo of a younger coiffed Tom Wade signed ‘Thanks Rosie for everything.’

‘Maybe it’s someone who looks like him?" Kendra set the picture down.

A waitress came over with a big grin on her face. Oh, he was the nicest man, came down this way just as I started working here. There was this bad man fugitive from Texas – came down here and – well I hate to speak of it – he murdered a fellow and this one, he came down to catch him and fetch him back to Texas. Rosie helped. Anyway! I don’t want to spoil you all’s lunch with silly chatter. Hi, I’m Sam and I’ll take care of ya’all. Both women looked at each other. Abigail, the last time you had good liver and onions – was when your Momma made it - right? Abigail’s eyes teared up and all she could do was nod. Sam scribbled on her pad. She turned to Kendra. Kendra honey, Rosie has gone back in the kitchen to cook for you. She said that where you were heading you needed to be nourished in a powerful way."

She said that?

Don’t be spooked by it. She is a special woman - got the healing touch and a long sight.

An older couple next to them joined the conversation. The woman started. She came here near fifteen years ago – no one knows where from and she won’t tell. This one-horse town was dying sure enough – like God had turned his back is what I thought.

Her husband added. The town was dead. She set up this place, bought it and moved in, with no sign. We men folk were curious and came over to meet her. She laughed at us, called us a lynch mob, sat us down, and fed us. It was all different after that. Illnesses were cured, some of the men drank too much – they gave up booze. Things just started to work. We now have us a theatre, a park, four churches, a clinic, a cable company, an artist co-op and a supermarket. She goes to all four churches, one a month - she teaches art classes and music classes. She even started a Chamber of Commerce.

My husband’s the Mayor, only because Rosie won’t be no politician. Truth is, she is the best kind of politician. The woman wiped the smudge of strawberry jam from her chin while she spoke.

Kendra didn’t notice that Sam had left and brought back the order for Abigail. She watched as Abigail took a bite, closed her eyes, and purred.

Kendra honey, Rosie wants to see you in the Kitchen. Sam put her hand on Kendra’s shoulder. Abigail didn’t even notice Kendra leaving the table. All Kendra could do was to smile and shake her head at the wonderful strangeness going on around her. She stood and bent over, whispering to Abigail. Two physic waitresses named Sam. And a picture of Tom? Is this a coincidence? Abigail shook her head, shrugged, and went back to her meal. Kendra straightened up and looked toward the kitchen. As she walked by people stopped her at every table and introduced themselves. When she finally got back to the kitchen, Rosie was working alone at the stove and waved her over to the chopping block. Put some love into cutting up some peppers and some celery – would you please?"

Kendra did without a thought.

The Elms is a good place, an old place, gone to evil. Rosie stirred a sauce. Kendra somehow didn’t think Rosie’s knowing where she was going at all strange, given all that has happened. She smiled to herself at the rapid paradigm shifts she was taken with such ease. She did wonder however where the kitchen staff had gone. Rosie answered as if she was asked aloud. Gave them a break so I could have a chat with you my dear – and use you are doing quite well at adjusting.

How do you know…?

Your Daddy used to make you macaroni and cheese when you were upset. Do you remember that?

Kendra could only nod at the almost forgotten memory. He told you to keep it a secret - said he didn’t want your Mom to know he could cook. Rosie went to the oven and pulled out a personal casserole dish of mac and cheese. I believe this is his recipe with a little touch of something extra, from me, to fortify your soul. Don’t ask - it is a secret. She sat it down in front of Kendra and pulled back with her hands on her hips.

Listen to me. You have to do what you were born to do, like me and anyone else, who has been touched by the stuff of eternity. You are connected to The Elms in ways that will be revealed to you. You are operating in two worlds and you have unseen allies. Trust that they will do their part. She stopped and looked into Kendra’s eyes and then smiled. Let go of this thing about men. You want a bad boy with a skillful dick, connected to a kind heart, with a nature willing to have you make his bad-self better. Good luck getting away unscathed. You might want to reevaluate your wants list. Honey, men are like streetcars. One comes along every fifteen minutes and leaves every fifteen minutes. You haven’t even been waiting at the station. There is no hurry now. If you come out of this well, come back here and settle down with a good, down to earth, solid, and caring man that has lived through the crazies and come out better for it – you know what I mean? Before Kendra could answer Rosie put up her hand. And before the bitch-in-you- shrink asks about my love life – it is none of your business. My kitchen is the center of the world – from here it all gets better – believe that with all your heart."

I like the metaphor even if you are being cryptic and a little scary.

Honey, I ain’t scary – not one little bit, and that ain’t a metaphor. This place is a power center - a hub. I spent a lot of years looking for it and healing it, so that it would all be well. There are places like this all over the world. When they go wrong, the beast finds a hold nearby, and terrible things happen. The closest the Beast could get to here is The Elms – a part of it took up residence a long time ago. The place was a place of horrible deeds and horrors. The otherworldly are attracted to the darkling pain, sin, and suffering and moved in. I came here to build up the bulwark. His army is on the move and this town will slow them down, till you set a foothold.

Rosie, I have no idea what you are talking about. I am going to an alleged hunted Inn, to do an investigation.

Sweetheart, Amy didn’t call to you because you were a Parapsychologist. She called to you because you are an unusual person, with a kind heart that understood her pain. You want so bad to be tethered to a world you can find no connection to. The art my girl is to be in the world, not of the world. People like us are made to keep the world together, a world that is bound and purposed to tear itself apart. We are human patches for the torn places. There are reasons, but it is beyond our comprehension - we could never understand. It’s why you became a therapist – you thought you could figure it out by being on the outside looking in. We do as our nature demands. Now! Eat your dinner.

Kendra heard the words but had no response to what was said, so she took a bite of the mac-n-cheese and sighed as her body responded to the food. Peace and security coursed through her veins. Her heart swelled and tears of relief poured from her eyes. Her muscles flexed and pulsed, her insides felt solid and sure. Cool air seemed to blow cobwebs from her brain and she exhaled every negative thought hidden in every corner. She looked up and Rosie was gone, the kitchen bustling with activity. She left the kitchen, plate of mac-n-cheese in hand, and walked back to her table. She remembered every name of every person that was introduced to her. When she sat down Abigail grinned and patted Kendra’s hand.

I ordered some homemade peach pie with vanilla ice cream for both of us. This is an amazing restaurant. Imagine if she opened this place in San Diego - she would make a fortune.

She couldn’t. It would be off center!

What does that mean?

Sam delivered the deserts and set down the bill. No hurry. Pay when you are ready. How did you like your meals? Both women nodded. Good. Most the time, it’s what you eat makes the day. She left before her enigmatic comment garnered a response.

I hope we can come back here. Abigail whispered. It makes me feel whole."

Kendra suddenly noticed a person standing next to her. She looked up into Sheena’s pretty face. The young woman knelt down and took Kendra’s hand. Steven has been waiting for you to finish your meal. Our gear is all packed - been in the truck for two weeks waiting for you. We will be going to The Elms with you. She smiled at the astonished Kendra. The pie looks good’ She turned toward the waitress. Sam? Could we order some peach pie and ice cream before we go?

Abigail looked at Kendra and shrugged. I guess we got us a convoy.

They finished their desert silently and left with the well wishes of everyone in the café. Neither Abigail nor Kendra had any understanding of the events now taking place, but the smooth, rich, ice cream and the tangy sweet taste of the peach pie, somehow, made it all seem right. As, the two vehicles drove off, Rosie stepped outside looking up at the tree’s tops. The wind was blowing and the leaves rustled and whispered a message. I know - the hour approaches. She turned and walked back into the café; every person was standing as if waiting for an announcement. Well folks that was the one that I have been telling you about. I’m glad we got to meet her. The game’s afoot. Mayor, ring the town bells, and get everyone together for a meeting. The man who was sitting next to Kendra and Abigail leaned over and kissed his wife, then left in a hurry, brushing by Rosie. Sheena and Stephen have left us and now we have to ready ourselves to do our part. Rosie wiped her hands on her apron and looked up smiling. I know you are all scared, so am I, but God is with us. Now, if you don’t mind, can you all help clean up? I would appreciate it.

CHAPTER 2

GAME’S AFOOT

You may think you have a handle on your life

Pride yourself with all your hard learned skills

But ever there, the monsters spin and weave

Savoring every twisted dream of yours they kill

Rosie’s Ruminations

THE YOUNG MAN

The Chairman of the Trustees was beaten and bloody. He had come because the pastor couldn’t be reached. Now his face was covered in blood and he hung limply in the arms of the two-black jeaned, booted, leathered, hairy, bearded men, holding him up at each side. Jeffrey walked forward, looking at the sky and the well tended church grounds. He stopped in front of the tortured man and lifted the badly beaten man’s head. With his left hand he wiped the blood from the man’s swollen eyes.

Can you hear me Jimmy? Isn’t this wonderful? You are a narrow minded, intolerant man. You have beaten your wife and children. You have dipped your wick in other quims leaving your faithful wife desolate. You have been dishonest in your business dealing and justified your larceny by claiming you were teaching, those you harmed, a lesson. You have denied, anyone that you know, any form of happiness because you deny this world and wait, without grace, for the coming kingdom. Why Jimmy? Why, because of your fake piety and active hypocrisy? I’ll bet your heart is fully sorry right now, is it not? A part of you knows you had this coming. Right? He looked up and scanned the faces of the hundreds of followers watching with rapt interest. You all think that I have had this man beaten because I am a cruel and heartless man. Indeed, some of you have done such a thing for money, or with heartless disregard, and that was surely a sin. This is different. I have done this thing with real compassion and understanding. I have given this man what he most wanted, above all things – to suffer for his God. If you could see into his eyes, you would see his joy. Jeffrey roughly grasped the man’s jaw and jerked it up. Isn’t that right Jimmy? Let’s send you home, shall we? Let him go! As the man collapsed Jeffrey viciously kicked his head with a loud pop and the man flew upwards in the air, twenty feet back, landing on his back. He lay still.

A cheer rose from the crowd. No - shut up all of you! Such disrespect. His voice was rough, low and terrible. And a silence fell over the gathered. We didn’t win anything here. Jimmy won – he will go home because we don’t control that realm. He was honestly sorry for all he did, I felt that, and he will get his reward. Don’t ask me why, those are the rules, and I don’t make the rules. We don’t control that place but we will control this one. Jeffrey stepped over the body and walked into the crowd, touching the faces of the men, running his hands over the breasts of the women. The men sighed; the women swooned and fell to their knees, all grasping their groins. He turned, closed his eyes and spun slowly, as if doing a waltz, the music only heard in his head. Lifting into the air, still spinning slowly, he began to sing in many voices. He stopped and called out. Sing with me John! John rose into the air and joined in. The words were from no language on earth. The melody was beautiful and painful to hear. All gathered looked up and collapsed to their knees, enduring the richness, and depth of this terrible song. Then the song stopped and Jeffrey screamed.

John it is time! They both lowered to the ground and walked toward the church doors, which flew open at Jeffrey’s gesture. John smiled and turned to the crowd. It is time for the communion. Check your hearts as you walk through these doors. If you are true to our Master it will go well – if not. He didn’t finish but turned and walked into the church building. The confusion lasted several minutes, before the followers started walking toward the doors. As they entered the nave, John stood in naked perfection, in front of the altar, drawing gasps of pleasure from the women who walked in to see him. Jeffrey was standing naked on the altar and had cut his arm; his strangely abundant blood was splashing on the altar and filling chalices. John took the filled chalices and lined them up on the chancel railing. Come my people and drink and be transformed. Jeffrey sat down, drenched in his own blood, on the edge of the altar. Crossing his legs in a grotesquely feminine manner, he watched his followers stand among the pews, with faces like scared children. John stepped back and smiled over at Jeffrey.

Cautiously several people moved up and lifted the chalices to their lips. The effect was astounding. The men fell to the floor and screamed, muscles bulging and vibrating visibly. Their tattoos disappeared, facial hair fell away, scars disappeared, paunches flattened, years fell away from life-worn faces. The women twisted in agony and fell. Hard lines and tattoos also disappeared. Dyed hair returned to its natural color. Cleansing blood ran from their vaginas, down their legs in rivers. Breasts firmed and lifted. Skin cleared and softened. John jumped back, shocked, as one the women exploded into fine pink dust. Then a man exploded, and another, and another. The flow to the altar stopped in fear. Jeffrey hopped off the altar and lifted the transformed ones to their feet, kissing each new cheek. John walked to the aisle and looked into the faces of the followers.

"Have no fear. Look at what comes of believing. Pray now that you will believe, step forward, and take of this gift. You will become the sons and daughters of angels. Slowly the faithful stepped forward, to drink and be changed. The changed ones stripped and fell on each other in urgent heat, grouping and coupling where they fell, Jeffrey’s blood still on their lips.

Jeffrey sat back on the altar and patted the altar top next to him to have John sit with him. John jumped up and crossed his legs. "Let this go on for a little while, then send them out. Head for The Elms go on the back roads where you will have the time and luxury of doing a good job. Kill every man and boy you run into, and make