Woonsocket, Rhode Island. As Nicole Collins continues to seek sanctuary from the day in a cheap motel, Rhyaad de’Annar remains in Collinsport seeking the infamous Nicholas Blair and the elusive Richard Pickman. With Meili Rainheart’s support, he has sought the assistance from their mysterious friend, the Marshal. Only for Rhyaad there are more questions than answers. The one person he feels confidant that can supply some of those answers is Nicole Collins – and he has not been successful in contacting her – until tonight.

Nikki’s cell phone is ringing.

She looks at the incoming call, Rhyaad.

“Good evening.” Nikki says walking across the parking lot of the Motel Viva.

“NIKKI! YOU’RE ALIVE! I’VE BEEN TRYING TO REACH YOU FOR EVER!”, Rhyaad shouts.

“Rhy, good to hear your voice. How is Collinsport?”

“Collinsport along with the rest of the world is about to be destroyed, according to what I hear. The Snow woman killed those women, not Blair. Pickman is nowhere to be found. And I spend a lot of time wandering looking for people whom I can’t find.”

“I thought you and St. Clair investigated the Cranshaw House.” Nikki says.

“Oh, we did. Lots of bloody bodies.” He tells her as he hears a strange voice on the Nikki’s side of the connection, “Hey baby, now are you sure you don’t need a good time.”

“Thanks, no.” Nikki says. “Snow woman, Lillian?”

“No, the mad woman Narcissa Snow killed them – apparently Elijah Snow’s sister. She is the one who murdered those women. The ones we thought Blair had killed, which still doesn’t mean I am not going to kill him when I get my hands on him, and also, Meili and Esther had a chat with Nyarlathotep and I hear you’ve been to see a man called The Metropolitan, whom I suspected was Nyarlathotep but now I’m told he is really just some sort of witch-ghoul-vampire coordinator whom you asked permission to kill the Snows from.”

Nikki is silent for a moment, “And who did you hear that from?”

“David Collins, Gregory the Time Lord. Depends on which that you mean.”

“Yes . . . I met with the Metropolitan Bishop of Providence, and no he is not Nyarlathotep.” From the sound of the phone, Rhyaad can tell that Nikki is walking. “Rhy, have you found Lillian Snow yet?”

“Well I’m glad he isn’t and you are still alive. But what in the nine Hells are you doing in Rhode Island? Why do you need permission to stop people from blowing up the world? I talked to St. Clair; she called in some code word for the Delta Green people. I am hoping they will bring some kind of force here soon. And, yes, we captured Lillian Snow. She was held in some abandoned farmhouse. Now we need Pickman, and the gem. If we have all they pieces they need, they can’t accomplish their goal.”

“Well I’m here . . . because there is a certain set of alliances that exists in New England and yes, in order to make a move against certain parties I had to get permission. Plus, there is this – “ Nikki breaks off her thought, not sure what to say, as she is not sure why Madam Vadoma was so insistent that she visit 135 Benefit Street.

“Screw them. These people want to destroy their WORLD!” Rhyaad tells her, “Oh, and get this I actually expect old N-tep to help us.”

“There is apparently a time table that has been set— and from what I know, nothing can happen until Petofi arrives.”

“What about Pickman, and his key?’ What about Blair? Where in the nine hells IS Blair? Why did the Snow woman do the murders and not him? Nothing but questions, not enough answers.”

“As to information regarding that time table and their plans—have you questioned Lillian Snow?”

“Lillian Snow is a pawn in this game. But since I can’t accomplish anything else, perhaps I should interrogate her anyway.”

“Well, Rhy, I think you have the biggest piece of this puzzle in your hands right now, unless you let her get away.”

“She is necessary. Yes. Pickman wants her. Other than that, what is she but a reincarnated Starry Wisdom Cult porn star? Speaking of them . . . the Starry Wisdom, Elijah and Narcissa Snow . . . they seem to do quite well without her.”

“Well, if she is a key then she is The Key to Pickman. But Natasha Snow was Elijah’s Snow’s sister also – and Lillian then would be their great-great aunt. So, she must be aware of not only what Blair is up to, but the Snows as well. I am sure she knows a lot . . . have you asked her?”

“SHE is the key? I thought Pickman was bringing a key? Necromancers, yes, I should ask her. I don’t know if she’ll cooperate, but it’s worth a try.”

Nikki sighs, “Yes, Pickman is supposed to bring something he is going to trade from Lillian – and so, yes, he has some key – but when I say key to Pickman – I mean she is what Pickman is after. Without her they can not make a trade.”

“Well I have looked everywhere for Pickman. And I can not find him – I know he is here somewhere.”

“How do you know that – I thought he was to be called by Petofi from beyond this dimension through a portal.”

“I have a portal – Gregory and I have one – and a special machine that allows us to travel through time and space and so, we plan on catching N-tep also and taking him to the Sun.”

“The Sun?”

“Yes—Gregory knows all about this.”

“Have you even talked to Lillian yet?”

“She is free of them—held prisoner, and so she is under St. Clair’s custody. Why would I want to talk to a porn star?”

“Dr. Praetorius indicated, as well as Catronia Kaye, that she had information she was trying to get to them, and she then went missing, she might know a lot, have you asked her? She is apparently very important to Pickman, as to what Pickman has, we don’t know yet.”

“Dr P. is a former necromancer with his own agenda. Oh, I intend to see him indeed, but not till he’s least expecting it. Pickman has something the others want, some ‘key’ that he will give them in exchange for Lillian. And with that, supposedly, they bring forth a being worse then N-tep. The whole thing rings of apocalyptic proportions. Whatever it is that Pickman has, I want it. And his carcass too. And Blair. The more of them we can capture and kill the better.”

“Well I have to make a trip to Innsmouth to see if I can get one step closer to the Shinning Trapezohedron mystery. As for Pickman . . . as I understand it, his deal is with Petofi and he is not going to show up until he can meet with Petofi – but I would assume Petofi cannot meet with him because you have Lillian. I would think you need to keep her very safe.”

“Well . . ..” he finally paused. “First things first. Shall I pop in?”

“It would be great to see you – just be careful and do not break or lose anything on the trip.”

“Good . . . step outside please, if you are not already.” He waited.

Suddenly a cloud of mist, or gray fog, flows inexplicably into the parking lot. It begins to rotate, to swirl, rapidly becoming a nebulous vortex that grows tighter and smaller, coalescing into denser and denser mass that assumes solid form. In only a few seconds it is over, and Rhyaad stands before Nikki, “Sorry . . . I didn’t ask permission for that. Are you OK?” he said.

Nikki smiles and looks at him, “Oh it is so good to see you. You do not know all that I have— are you okay, your arm is it healed?”

He reaches out his arms to hug her. “It’s good to see you! I was sure you’d be killed!” and embraces her.

The blonde prostitute scowls, “Hey honey, she’s got a room – only all I ever see her taking in there is b***hes.”

“It’s fine.” Nikki hugging him tightly, thankful to have him so close. Rhyaad feels that she has experienced something here in Providence, which was what he had been so long worried about. “I’m worried about you. So is David.”

“No, actually, I am good –” Nikki tells him as she steps back.

“How soon can you be back in Collinsport?” He asks.

“Soon—very soon. I have to admit I am a bit worried about the trip to Innsmouth, but other than that I’m good. My apprehension in speaking to Stephen Alzis was well founded . . . “ She says not elaborating further on her meeting with Nyarlathotep.

“Stephen Alzis?” He looks shocked. “What did HE say to you?”

“That we wants me to handle his problems with Blair and Petofi.” Nikki informs him.

A car pulls up and cruses through the parking lot slowly, the blonde prostitute walks over to the car and starts up a conversation.

Rhyaad looks at her sharply, “I believe Stephen Alzisis a body being used by Nyarlathotep.”

Nikki looked away for a moment and then back at Rhy, “In that, you would be correct.”

“And he wants you to kill his rebellious necromancers. They have betrayed him, correct?”

“Yes – they are playing a very dangerous game and he is ready to end it for them. But in his usual manner of having fun . . . the b*****d can’t do anything directly, he has to convolute . . . and pervert and . . .”

“Then perhaps we should ask Nyarlathotep himself where they are. If they are his, he should know.”

Nikki nods in agreement, “He is going to tell me when Petofi arrives.”

“That’s helpful. But knowing where he is and going there with a couple of .45’s, an assault rifle, and a flame thrower would be much better.”

“For Pefofi you need just a .45 and a head shot.” Nikki says coldly.

He nodded. “Yes, St. Clair told me that. Head shot.”

He shook his fist in frustration. “Where is he?”

“Rhy, when the time comes, Petofi is mine.”

“Yours? He is here in Rhode Island?” His eyes grow wide.

“I am paying back old family debts. Whatever happened to my Father, he did it. He tried to kill Bathory. He had Julia killed, or so I am told. So, when the time comes – it should me that should has to pull the trigger.”

“I say pull the trigger on them all, yesterday if not sooner. And Innsmouth, Hells! What creatures live there! We don’t have much time. How can you be sure that just having Lillian Snow is enough to stop them?”

“Petofi needs Lillian. And Alzis will tell me when he has arrived.”

“Then ask ‘Alzis’ to tell us where Blair is hiding. Tell him I’ll do him a favor by killing him.”

“I will when I hear from him again.”

“I don’t suppose ancient gods have cell phones? You just wait for him to contact you?”

“Even Moses had to wait for a burning bush – gods don’t operate with the same time scale as we.” Nikki says, and then grows more serious again, “But Innsmouth worries me. I have to admit that Rhy – I do not look forward to going to there at all.”

“Why Innsmouth? Is Blair there?”

“I have to go to Innsmouth because that is where the trail begins in finding the Shinning Trapezohedron.”

Rhyaad nods. “If so, then you do. But don’t you know Innsmouth is full of hostile non-humans who would as soon kill you as look at you? I’ve been there before. I survived it. I should come with you to protect you.”

“I don’t know if it is better to go with a group or alone on this one, Rhy. It’s going to be hard enough to get anything out of anyone in Innsmouth, but I think I may have a better chance if I go alone – even though I am not looking forward to it.”

Rhyaad frowns, “They will recognize you on sight. Some of them will try to kill you.”

“But you need to talk to Lillian—see what she knows.”

“While you’re being killed by mutants in Innsmouth to look for the Shining T, I shall just interrogate a reincarnated cultist. A porn star?”

“Yes. I am hoping that my contacts in Providence may at least get me in and out, whether I get any information I don’t know.”

“Nik, please reconsider!” he begged. “Let me know when you go and I can come with you. And if you go alone, don’t go without some heavy artillery. You may be a vampire, but you are not indestructible, Nikki Collins! None of us are. I mean, shotguns, assault riffles, maybe some grenades.”

“I will think about it Rhy . . . Please keep everyone safe in Collinsport. By going into the Cranshaw House you have stirred up a nest of vipers and no telling who they will strike or when.”

“I can’t do that Nikki. I’m only one person. I can’t be everywhere and protect everyone. I hope that Delta Green team gets there soon.”

“I know, you will do your best Rhy — you always do.”

Rhyaad sighs, frustrated, “Right now I feel useless. Just useless. Perhaps I should defend David. But then Elijah may want Esther, and who knows whom Narcissa will murder next? It’s so out of control.”

“No you are not useless — you need to find out what Lillian knows and go from there. And if I reconsider, I’ll call you before I go into Innsmouth, but if I am successful there . . . then I may need help with wherever Innsmouth leads—which I hope is the Witch and the Shinning Trapezohedron.”

“The ‘Witch’ . . . none shall survive . . . sounds like she is someone you don’t want to meet.”

“I am hoping I don’t have to.”

“All this stinks, Nikki, all of it. I should just take you to Foerear. The fact I do not I guess proves I am still a hero.”

“But I should know if I am on the right track once I get to Innsmouth. And yes, Rhy you are still a hero. One I depend on to watch Collinsport.”

“A sane elf-vampire with portal magic would return to that nice island on another planet and let your world go to its own hell. But I shall return to Collinsport and hope you call me before you go to Innsmouth to get yourself killed.”

Nikki smiles and reaches out to touch his healed arm, “Thanks for worrying about me.”

“Thanks? How could I not?” He gave her a quick hug. “Try to stay in one piece, OK?”

“You also, since you are still using those bloody portals!!”

“But this isn’t a portal, Nik. Vampires where I came from could ‘walk the mist’. It’s something like your mother does, but much, much older. My return to Collinsport will be risk free. Gregory awaits me. It’s to a person, not a place.”

“Oh good, promise me you will not try using that damned portal again.”

“No—we are using Gregory’s . . . machine, and we are going to capture old N-tep in it and take him to the Sun.” He says as he fades.

Cue Music End of Episode