The Familiar

By Jon Peacock

The story is about two star crossed lovers and a group of their friends diving into a tale mystery, magic, and horror. The group take a spring break trip into the darkest part of the woods in New Hampshire. Upon their vacation a great dark entity of unknown creation is released on them. They must unite to end the entity's curse on a town suspended with in time.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Aug 22, 2023
• ISBN: 9781663245748

Jon Peacock

NO ATA, author refused to provide.

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Copyright © 2023 Jon Peacock.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

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ISBN: 978-1-6632-4573-1 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-6632-4575-5 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-6632-4574-8 (e)

iUniverse rev. date: 08/22/2023

Contents

The Prologue

Chapter One The Letter, The Dream, and The Trip

Chapter Two Blood Moon in Wiccaton, New Hampshire

Chapter Three The Box and The Cave

Chapter Four The Trinity of The Familiars

Chapter Five The Truth is Revealed

Chapter Six 1696

Chapter Seven The Beast Conflict

Chapter Eight Goodbye For Now

The Epilogue

The Prologue

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W hite light streaks across the sky. The wind rolls in with a tremendous crashing boom. Huge amounts of water splash hard against the apartment window of a young man. This man lying sound asleep in his bed. A grimace tightens across the face of this man. It is telling us that his dream is not well. His pulse and heart beat begin to race. They are beating faster and faster. His mind in a world known to him is further away then we could imagine. With every flash of lightning in this terrible storm, his mind drifts further from the outside world. In his mind the storm seems to go without end but outside the same it lasts for a blink of an eye. As the last flash of lightning fades into the darkness with its thunder rolling off in the distance. The sounds of the rain are left in the emptiness of night. When a single tear falls slowly from the young man’s face. Though the nightmare maybe over for him. His terror has only just begun. With the last of the rain falling, his mind becomes peaceful again. For this dark cloud was intertwined with him. And a great horror awaits also him. This very night will be the only calm before his storm be gins.

Chapter One

The Letter, The Dream, and The Trip

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A ll that is left are a few drops on the marigold blooms in the morning light of the storms remnants. A new spring day has begun for the students of the University of Massachusetts. The people of Boston were enjoying the warm sun of this fine day. The students whose minds are not on their studies were thinking of the upcoming spring break. They wondered where to go and what to do. Not always the easiest of choices but they would eventually find their own answers. There is only one student who will be taking this break for different reason. On this day his choice of places has been made for him. The dorm door opened with the tall young man exiting. A man twenty four years of age with long brandish hair and piercing blue eyes solemnly walked down the steps of his buildings to the sidewalk. A cold wind feels warm to him on this sunny day. He holds a letter that is like an icicle dagger through his heart. That same dagger could never be melted so easily. He could not see the day’s beauty, because of this letter received the day before. He is a normally lighthearted man, but the contents of this letter filled him with great sorrow. His walk was slow as though his feet were being dragged by heavy weights. The path that lay ahead of him would be long and difficult. His friends will be waiting for him to speak of a happier occasion, but his words will bring them no joy. The saddened announcement he bears will greatly bring them and him no comfort. As he walks down the street to the Common, his mind falls prey to sad memories of his childhood. These memories were of short images flash in his mind with faint sounds of his mother calling his name. He steps across the street not looking where he is walking. Suddenly a woman’s soft hand graces his shoulder. He turns to come face to face with a woman of stunning beauty. He recognizes her and a veil pain and sorrow lifts from his troubled mind. She fondly looked deep into his eyes. The warmth he starts to feel was of sublime adoration for the woman who was his one true love. Amanda Chow stood there in front of him. She was a twenty-two year old Asian goddess with long black hair that highlighted her soft light olive skin. He stood there as a gust blew her hair across her face. The man gently moved his hand to uncover her gorgeous teal eyes. He did this as a smile grows across her face as his love return with her loving gaze from behind its flaxen veil. The young man’s heart lifted as he slowly and lovingly kissed her moist red lips. A flood of emotion swells deep inside the young man for this was the one thing that brought him joy. That one thing was the one true love in his life.

Their lips parted as the man sighed and out then he smiled,Greeting’s like that are always best.

Greeting’s like that are why you’ll never be rid of me, Mr. John Darkstar. Amanda remarked with a smirk, And for your information, Mr. Darkstar. I would gladly walk over there and back for another greeting.

John and Amanda first met in the same ethics class in their first year of college. She would always carry a heavy bag of books from all her courses. During one of their Ethics classes she was walking down to take her seat in class. When she was going to sit down. She swung her bag wide around to the other shoulder. In doing this without looking she hit John square in the face. John just happened to be sitting behind her. At the same time he was reaching for a pen on the floor. Amanda turned to apologize to him. John was quicker and suggested that they apologize over a cup of coffee after class. He suggested she apology for hitting him with her bag of books, and him for putting his face in front of it.

And, I would be glad to greet you again. What’s with this mister all of a sudden? I’m not that old you know. John retorted with a wide smile, You’re almost as old as me. Don’t forget

Well, by the way you were walking. I would think you were a hundred years old. She said with a smile, And deaf as a door mouse. You almost walked into traffic. I kept calling you. Why didn’t you answer? You look like your minds lost in a haze. What’s got you so troubled?

Well, it’s something I want to tell everybody. That’s why I asked Peter to get everyone and to meet us at the Common. I thought it would just make it easier to tell everyone. John said now with half a smile. Why don’t we go meet them? I’ll tell you everything on the way down there.

That sounds like a good idea. Maybe on the way you can greet me a little more. Amanda hinted at, Like how about every four steps. You know just to keep things a little more interesting on the walk.

Well, I do declare Miss Chow. You are a true temptress. John slyly stated as he bows like a noble Englishman, I will have to do my best to be on my guard. I will though escort your lovely self on the walk there.

With that said they started to walk to the Common. John began to tell his story the connection between the letter, the dream of his childhood and that one night of horror. That night didn’t end. It was just the beginning of what lies ahead for John and his friends. A night that John will face again and this time he will not be alone.

Down at the Common were waiting four out of the six of John’s close friends. There was Peter and his sister Christina Mancuso. Peter was John’s oldest and best friend. Peter was the older of the two siblings at twenty-three years of age. He was not a student but a family friend from John’s home town. He came to Boston to live after a time of travel. He came here a couple years ago to stay close to his childhood friend. Peter’s personality was the opposite of John’s, but complimented each others well. He was always getting into trouble but struggling to steer clear of it. John would be there to back him up or keep him out of trouble. They both would cover for each others weaknesses and stick together in times of trouble. Peter work as a dock worker made him well built and capable of helping in a jam. He’s the first to jump in a fight, but first to get caught for it. He had a gentle soul. That’s what made him a good friend. His eyes were a murky and flat green. His short black hair and trimmed goatee made him easy to point out in a crowd. He had a taste for party life. He could be fun at the right time, but when things get serious he can be ready for anything. Christina on the other hand was different. She was fresh out of High school and barely knew anything of the real world. Christina differed from her brother. She doesn’t have the build her brother has, but her quick wit and fast-talk more than make up for missing that. Christina has blonde hair and liquid blue eyes even though she is far from being a dumb blonde for an eighteen year old. Tina as she likes to be called always tries to out wit or double talk her way out of trouble. Around her friends and family she’ll always got caught, but in the case of strangers her wit always worked. Tina only uses her wit to help ease her way through life but at times she can be quite intelligent. When these two are together they are like yin and yang. Tina is far the opposite from Peter‘s mellow and laid back attitude. She is up beat and quick. She had to be when dealing with John and Peter growing up. She had two over protective brothers all those years. She also cared for them both so much she became a referee when the two would have quarrels. She knew today if John asked Peter to be here it was serious. She knew she would be here to fill the rest of his second family. John who was a good brother to her. She would never let deal with anything alone. Brian Millbridge there was the twenty-one year old who would follow Tina everywhere. He’d stand off in the background with his dirty brown hair and hazel gray eyes. He was a man that was almost Peter’s age but still older than his sister. Peter never approved of him being around his sister. He was a student who John had tutored in the past and just started being in John’s group of friends. Brian lack of being serious at any time got to peter most of all. This immaturity of Brian’s never pleased Peter, but Tina was taken by this man’s boyish charm. Brian and Tina had fond feeling for each other, but to everyone he was just her friend. Brian as a student didn’t play sports, but he was still able keep himself fit and in shape. Brian was not smart for a student. His intelligence was only useful for practical jokes or silly stunts. He was more of a wise ass. A joker or a comedian is how he saw himself. That is what made him such a foolhardy person at getting Tina’s affection. This guy would not be the one to follow everyone if they jumped off a bridge. He would the one to sell ticket’s to watch them jump off. Finally, there’s Debbie Artivelli. The other twenty three year old and Peter’s passion in his life. She was short and skinny with curly black hair and deep brown eyes. Her rosy complexion was red from holding a flat smile most of her time. She is a very docile for how Italian women go. Debbie was quiet most of the time, but you could see she loved Peter. She held him close in her heart. Peter meet her when he was traveling the country. When he returned to his parent house with her, Tina was not too happy. Both her and Tina never saw eye to eye from two years of living in the same house. Debbie has been living alone with Peter for months now, but Tina still does not like her when she’s with Peter. Tina does give her chances when peter is not around, but they still grind against each other soon or later. Debbie passivity kept her from seeing Tina’s dislike for that relationship. The group stood around doing their own ways of waiting. Peter and Debbie held each other close as they watched the swan boats in the pond go under the bridge. Brian made himself the fool for the audience of one. Tina always knew why he did that for her, of course. They both knew the others feelings had for each other. They also knew enough not to show them in front of Peter or Debbie. The two knew a display of their feelings would upset Peter. They were always sneaking kisses when no one would be around to see. Peter would look over his shoulder to see what kind of asinine thing Brian was doing. He also did this so he could keep Brian getting to close with his sister.

With a strange look in his eyes Peter said, Why do you act like such a fucking jackass all the time?

He doesn’t acted like a jackass, he acts like a Brian-ass. But after you, I don’t know what kind of ass you are. With a rapier wit Tina responds, So, what are we doing just standing around here?

And Peter with a disdained voice, We are waiting here for John and Amanda. He told me that he has some bad news for us. That’s why I told you all to meet me here.

Debbie repeats, He wants to meet here.

Tina Replies, Peter, get your hand out of her ass. Debbie stop being my brother’s puppet. Your always agreeing with him. Your also copying every word he has already said to anyone.

Well, what could possibly be bad news on a day like this? We should be out having a fun time. Brian stated while swinging around a light pole looking Fred Astaire in the movie Singing in the Rain, I mean it’s warm. The sun is shining. Birds are shitting on newly bought cars. And spring break is a couple days away.

Hey, fruitcake I don’t give a flying fuck what the birds are doing. I do know that, but if John says its bad news. It’s bad news. Peter said becoming impatience with his antics, So we’re just gonna sit here and wait for him and Amanda to show. By the way are we missing two bodies here? Where’s joey and Leanne at? Why haven’t they shown up yet?

Peter spoke of Leanne and Joey Fawcett. Joey was a hard ass. His attitude was the start of all his trouble. He would never go looking for a fight, but it seems to always find him first. He was an average height black man that thought he was a thug. When all his friends know he grew up in the middle of suburbia. His high school photo was with him wearing a suit and tie. When he moved into the city he found it easier faking the look of a thug. He did this for his and Leanne safety more than being one. He would never admit this to a stranger but around his friends he would drop the act. He knew they excepted him the way he was. He looked the profile with a wife beater shirt, baggy pants, boxer showing and Timberland’s. His tough look wasn’t finished without sporting a NY skully in Boston. He used it with an attitude to get space from people that would stop and ask him for change or just plain stupid questions. He always had his Latina mama with him. She was very christian woman, but if you tried anything her you’d see another side of her. Leanne was what she would say a bitch that knows she is or a woman that’s all attitude, as she would put it she was The Big bitch with the tits to match. There was only one word that would set her off faster than a bullet from a gun but otherwise you could call her anything. Her attitude would make her be proud of it. Her jet-black hair in braids done her head made her hair look like a cornfield. If you mentioned or touch the hair you were in for a world of hurt. Her christian belief kept her attitude in check, but if she got angry you’d hear her pray for your soul as she beat you down. She had this stern mother like attitude when around her friends. She helped the girls in the group deal with their guy’s boy like behaviors. When the two were together, her attitude over-powered Joey’s. The two twenty-five year old couple were honeymooning before they were even married. They could have done the karma sutra three times in the short time they were together before they got married. They were always trying for a baby but with no luck. They would be found screwing around whenever they could find the time. They went to the clinic after the wedding to see what was stopping them from having a child. For months they have tried every trick in the book to become pregnant when the clinic finally suggested they take fertility drugs. They are going to stop at the common on their way to the clinic. They were going for the latest lab results on Leanne’s blood work.

Oh, you know Ole Snoop Dogg’s given his bee-atch a bone of her own. Brian said while gesturing with the pole the motions of a horny dog on a leg. I’m sure if we listen we’ll hear the howl of the horn dog.

You know you’re a very sick fuck. Someone should super glue your tongue to the roof of your mouth and save us a lot of pain. Peter said with smile from the thought of silencing him. Debbie even snickered a little from the comment. Tina had to cover her mouth before she made things worse. And it looks like a unanimous vote to that statement. I’ll go get the glue myself. Anything to stop your chattering teeth.

ET to Tina? Brian said with a stabbing motion to his chest. His bad attempts at acting out a death scene from a Shakespearean play.

Well. That was very funny, Peter. You have to admit though. Tina’s blurted out as she laughed, You two as a couple are funny too. But seriously what’s taking John so long to get here? We’ve been waiting for an hour. What time did he say he’d be here by?

He said he’d be here at nine o’clock, and it’s only quarter of. So drop the rag attitude, and just wait. Peter stated getting frustrated with the two for their child’s play.

Then why did we have to get up at the crack of dawn. Tina said trying to figure out Peter’s train of thought, If we didn’t have to be here till nine? I could have had more sleep. You always do this to me. We’re sitting around doing nothing while we wait.

I wanted us to be here in case John showed up early. Peter explained. You know it’s boring waiting. Don’t you? Brian says trying to keep something going other than sitting and waiting, Do you even know what this is all about?

No. He said he’d tell us when he got here. Peter said, Why don’t you just sit and wait like the rest of us? It’s not much longer before he gets here anyways.

This band of eight good friends even with all the arguing. They all are very close and united together. They are always caring for one another no matter what lies ahead of them. John and Amanda in there own way they cared for them just like family. But this family’s unity is going to be put to the ultimate test. This test will be no ordinary one in the least. This will be a test they won’t all come back from. It will take their bonds of friendship to the extreme’s.

John and Amanda are walking down the street to be with the rest of their friends. John on the walk is telling her of the meaning for the letter he received and a time long past. John Darkstar walks in his memories with the only one his heart holds dearest to him, Amanda. He tells her the story that begins in his childhood from when he was seven years in age. He lived in a big house in a small town of Norwood. His parents were Charles and Vivienne Dephaye. They were both career workers but to a seven year old that means very little. He only knew they loved him. It showed in his eyes every day they were with him. All John wanted at that age was just to grow up and make his parents happy, but this will unfortunately never happen. John’s parents had received a call on that day to be in Florida for a funeral and a will reading. John’s father who was a very well built average sized man. His father for a trip like this wanted John to stay with his brother-in-law, Jay Darkstar. Vivienne was the one who didn’t want to leave John behind while they went. Vivienne knew in her heart she would never see him again, call it mother’s instinct. This trip was important to his parents and his mother knew it had to be done. Her wisdom on such subjects was only surpassed by her elegance. She went to the bedroom to get an object she kept stored away, when the decision was made to leave John at his uncle’s. She called John to come and join her inside his parent’s room. John entered to see her caressing a strange wooden box that sat on her lap. The front of the box had intricate Celtic design on it with a grooved circle in the center. The circle’s groove had strange writing’s inside of it. Her fingers running over the top of the box. Its top had a stone crafted into a black star in the center. The stone was surrounded by an image craved into the wood. The image that was around the stone looked like an animal of some type. The animal looked like a long snake with short legs. The stone in the center was so black it had an ominous glow. She sat John down next to her and told him where he was going to stay during this trip. She explained that he would stay with his Uncle Jay in Wiccaton, New Hampshire till they got back. When John was told this he wasn’t worried at all for a child his age. He loved his Uncle’s cabin in the woods, and he loved his Uncle too. He always had fun in the woods at the cabin. He liked the idea of staying awhile with his uncle. His mother forced a smile for her little one, even though deep inside she was scared and worried. She explained to him that when time was right. He would get this very special box from his uncle. She told him. There were things he would need to know, when the time was right. He would learn this from his uncle. This knowledge would help him in the future he was to be part of. John asked her why she was saying these things to him when she finished with her chat. All she could say is that everybody walks the path they’re given. She added that even if the path is chosen for us. It’s good for some to look ahead of the path they are walking. She hugged her son tightly. She took her son’s hand and held the box as they walked down stairs to the front door. His father picked him up in his big arms and asked him if he was ready for the long ride. He asked all the trivial questions a parent asks a child. Did they remember their favorite toy, toothbrush, teddy bear, or video? John was smart for his age and even if he forgot something. His mother was there to help him pack. John with his mom’s help had no problem in telling his father he brought everything. His father puts him in the back seat of the car. John was being buckled in when he saw his mother putting the wooden box in the trunk. Once he was buckled in, his mother and father got into the car. His father pulled out the driveway as he look for what he didn’t know would be the last time he would see his own home. They drove through Boston. John found himself getting very sleepy with watching all the buildings passing the window. When he finally closed his eyes the last sight was of tall buildings he saw out the window.

The next time he opened his eyes again there was nothing but trees out the window. He knew they were near his uncle’s cabin by the type of trees he was seeing. John’s father started to turn as he came to a dirt road. John knew right away that he soon would see his uncle Jay. A big man just a little bigger than his father with a thick beard was standing in front of a large log cabin. He wore a red and black-checkered flannel jacket. If anyone could resemble Paul Bunyan his uncle could do it. His uncle looked burly and rough, even though he was as gently as a teddy bear with Johnny. He always called John that and he liked to be called it. John saw his uncle and the excitement of running up and hugging him was building. John was so excited he was itching to get out of the car. He just wanted to hug him and be tickle by his beard. As soon as the car stopped John wanted out and it brought and warm smile to his mother. She told him softly to calm himself. Jay didn’t move from the doorway knowing he was going to be tackled by his nephew. So to make it easy he knelt so the tiny terror could hug him. Just as John was taken from the car he bolted for his uncle. John ran so fast he almost knocked his uncle over, but Jay was ready for him. He picked up his nephew and this big bear of a man gave him a big hug. John’s mother was so moved she could have cried right there.

I can’t believe it, John. You almost knock me down. And I’m a really big guy. You’re getting stronger for such a little one. Jay whispered to him as he turned to his parents, So, what brings you to my neck of the woods?

Well, we have a flight to Florida for a funeral of one of Charlies family. And you are the closest relative we have to our home. Vivienne said remorsefully, I don’t want to leave him here at this time but we have no choice.

I understand, but does Johnny? I mean why can’t he go with you? Jay asked.

We would take him with us but he wouldn’t understand the funeral. Mainly, because it’s one of Charlies Aunts. It’s someone John has never met from that part of his family. He’d feel confused and out of place with the situation of everyone mourning a death. He does understand amazingly that he can’t come. She explained while pulling out the wooden box, But I have to tell you more inside.

Okay? Why don’t we go inside and talk? Johnny will be fine playing here. He turns to John and adds, Now, Johnny remember don’t go near the caves pass the old family cottage to the southeast of this cabin. You know it’s not safe there and you could get hurt. Stay right here in the open area next to the cabin.

O.K. Uncle Jay, I won’t. I promise, with an innocent smile on John.

And as John ran off to play Jay turned to asked, Sis, I know about the box is it really the time for it to be brought here.

Vivienne returned with, Well. I don’t want to say. Not right now, but I’ll tell you when we get inside.

With that said all the adults went inside to talk. Vivienne laid the box on the coffee table as she went to the kitchen to make drinks for them. She returned with three cups of herbal tea. The adults then talked about what would happen with John during the trip to the funeral. John would normally listen to the warnings he was given by his uncle. He was just feeling left out of what was going on. He began to wander around the area. Until he found himself playing in a run down, dilapidated, and old building on the property. It was the remains of the cottage of his mother’s family. He knew he wasn’t suppose to be there with out his uncle or mother’s permission. He was curious at all the debris of a colonial cottage. He looked at how the stones were piled to make a wall. The decaying timbers of the thatched roof. His eyes were drawn to the remains of the chimney. He could see behind where the fireplace once stood was this small hill. This hill was no more than ten or fifteen feet high. At the bass of this hill was what looked like a seemingly large boulder. His uncle had told him that this boulder blocked an entrance to a cave behind it. His uncle pointed it out to him when every time they came to visit him. Jay always reminded him about it. On front of the boulder was a wooden sign that his uncle kept new. It read, CAUTION: Beware of the cave. Dangerous rock falls. John knew to stay away because the caution was in big red letters. And to him big red letters meant it was very dangerous, but John started to get curious. He wanted to get a little closer to the cave. He still looked around the remains of the cottage. He looked down to see a carving in a very large stone plate in front of the fireplace as he walked towards the hill. He saw a creature resembling the one on the box his mother had, but it was different. This large lizard was embracing an angel from behind. The both of them were clutching the same dark black star in their hands. It also had a banner, which spanned across the wing tips of both of the creatures. It read, "AMOR VINCIT OMNIA CONIUNETIS VIRIBUS." He stepped over the threshold of the fireplace. He thought if he was standing on the other side of the old fireplace technically he wasn’t past the cottage. John crawled through the open hole in the back of what was left of the fireplace. He saw something that was very shiny in an opening on the side of the boulder. He thought it was gold by its yellow color. He then remembered his uncle told him that there was no gold in the hills around his land. He stood up on the other side of the chimney when a cold breeze chilled him. John started to zip his jacket up a little more but the zipper had been broken. he started to get a cold chill from the sight of the shiny object. The feeling froze him to the bone. He didn’t let the cold bother him for curiosity had him even more than the cold could ever have him. John looked around one more time and saw no one in sight of him. John started to think that if he walked to the sign he couldn’t possibly get into any trouble. John slowly walked closer to get a better look at the shiny object. He got even closer to the object. That’s when he saw that is not one but two shiny objects. The both had the same gold color to them. That’s why from a distance it looked like one. He turned to walk away believing the yellow objects were just broken glass or fool’s gold, nothing of interest to him. He went turn when he started to hear what sounded like a low rumbling from something moving. He looked around and the shiny objects were gone.

It woke from its deep slumber from the sound of a disturbance on the outside. It sniffed the air heavily to get a sense of what awoke it after its long confined sleep. Its mind was reminded of that same scent from a time long since past. It arose from its place of rest to the smallest area of light it had. It peered out this small window. It saw a small child wandering the grounds of a broken down building that had been there as long as it could remember. It notice that the child would see its eyes soon. It could then tempt the child’s curiosity to venture forward. It would then feast on the meat it had almost forgotten from its memory. Slowly, it would savor every morsel of the child’s flesh. It had been centuries since it had a taste of such a delicacy. The thought of sinking its teeth deep into the child’s arm made its mouth water. It imagined the warm and thick feeling of the child’s blood flowing over its teeth. It would drink from the child