A Matter of Trust

Collinsport. Rhyaad de’Annar, who having been diverted upon his travel back to the current reality of Collinsport by Vanessa Coats of the Diogenes Club, seeks to safe guard a mysterious object thought to be instrumental in activating the cryptic bookcase in Samantha Collins’ suite of rooms in the West Wing of Collinwood. Because he has been told by Coats of her suspicions regarding the influence of a Dark God upon Nicole Collins – he has now decided upon a course of action that is about to have grave consequences.

Sound track: [www.youtube.com]

Rhyaad approached the Old House, moving silently, at times a blur between shadows. The house was dark. Quiet. He approached now conflicted – should he even be doing this? It was madness to think – to think that Nikki would be in league with that monstrous thing that would be a God. And yet, they were all in league with him not so long ago.

Who was right? Coats? Nikki? Nikki had reminded him tonight that Nyarlathotep was a lair – he used deceit and lies.

But he could not take the chance that if Coats was right and leave the Globe in Nikki’s hands – and possibility Nyarlathotep’s. And if not, if Coats were wrong, then he was only just safeguarding the orb, as was Nikki.

His stealthy approach brought him to the front door. He looked about for a second, and the reached for the latch of the door. He stepped into the darken foyer and closed the door behind him.

“I knew it.” He heard the voice of Esther in the darkness. “I knew you were going to be trouble.”

“And just why do you expect me to be trouble, Esther?” He said turning to see her standing in the darkness, her shotgun in hand.

“You-you wanted Nikki to go with Sam . . . wanted her out of the way, so you could came back here – what is it with you and that Globe?”

Instead of answering, he turned away from her and went to open the secret panel – which opened to reveal the chamber beyond.

“Oh no you don’t!” She yells lifting the shotgun to aim it at him, “Get away from there!”

Nikki had sat in her office finishing the last of her flute of blood. Everyone had left, except for Samantha Book who was up in her room – having curled up and fallen to sleep. In the back of her mind she thinks about Rhyaad, his defensiveness. The fact that Esther had picked up on it also—to the point she had sent her the text message. Going to Old House and watch the Globe, Rhyaad is far to concerned about it. Worries me.

Nikki rose and stepped over to the safe and opened it, making sure that the book . . . the acursed book was still there. She reaches inside and removed the large black volume. The book was very heavy, as it was made not of cloth and paper but of alien metals. The cover and binding thick and warm as she lifts it out and takes it over to her desk: The P’Dwahr M’Ankanon Nyarlathotep.

Nikki stood looking at it for a moment and then opened the heavy cover. Two hundred and twenty-seven pages, each and everyone at first appearing to be nothing but blank, black foil – each sheet slightly oily to the touch. But as one looked at the blank pages, there slowly seemed to appear words, in some unidentifiable language, not stamped or printed upon the foil, but rather floating up off the page. Tiny, complicated, symbols which seem to take on a three-dimensional aspect – until one tries to flip through the pages and then, there is suddenly a word – here and there that appears to be English. Orb of Solace. She stopped and looked at the page. For a second she saw it and then it was gone, dissolving back into that strange alien alphabet soup. Flipping through again. Blank pages and suddenly: Crimson Pearl. She stopped and looked at the page and it too was gone. Finger tips tossing back pages: All is betrayal. She quickly flipped the pages again. Lies. Again, she flipped the foil leafs. Deceit and lies. Once again: Like all the others he betrays you. She felt her hand tremble, yet she turned the pages, Never trusted or would not doubt. She felt the slow anger rising inside her. She flipped the pages again. Rhyaad.

She slammed the book closed – turned to the safe and closed it, carrying the book with her.

She grabbed her purse she raced out of her office, a blur across the room and out to her car. She had driven out of Collinsport, taken the main highway and turned off on Collinwood Road, her anger growing – she did want to believe it – not Rhyaad. Please no, not Rhyaad. She had been betrayed by so many – lied to, deceived, used. In Rhyaad she had felt she had found someone who she could trust – who trusted her . . . understood the conflicted nature within her.

The Ferrari 458 Italia takes the turn onto the old access road leading back through the woods to the Old House. She was pushing the car much too fast for the old road – the car bottoming out jarring her as she took the sharp curves, headlights splashing against trees and shrubs, and she soon saw the old cobblestone drive. She felt her lips set tight enough she could feel her fangs having distended.

It was now more than just anger – the thought of one more betrayal was more than she could bare and so she had given way to the vampire within her.

Rhyaad steps into the hidden room of the Old House.

The sound of car’s brakes taking hold on the dew damp cobbles, as the black car skidded to a halt, could be heard echoing across the lawn.

Esther hurries in after him, “Get out.” She demands.

Nicole Collins whips open the car door and leaves it open.

“Rhyaad, this is wrong, Get out. Go back into the parlor, now.” She says trying to dissuade him from doing something he is going to regret, “Lets talk about this—about whatever is bothering you?”

Nikki storms into the Old House.

Her father’s portrait watching her.

Rhyaad turns and looks at Esther, and then walks over and sits stubbornly in the old worn chair. “We shall sit here, and we will talk.”

Nikki throws the car keys across the room; they hit the wall and bounce off in different directions as the ring comes apart.

“You are technically trespassing. Now please.”

Nikki goes to the secret panel and opens it – it is true . . . all too true she feels it even before the door is completely open – she closes her eyes as she hears Esther and Rhyaad’s voices.

Esther turns suddenly at the sound of the secret panel’s lock disengaging and the panel opening behind her.

Rhyaad goes silent, Esther and the shotgun forgotten, as he hears the secret door open and sees Nikki enter—he had not expected her. Not now!

She strides into the chamber a furious storm that now stands before him, “I want to know, right the bloody f**k now, what the h**l this means!” She asks in low hiss.

He is more than well aware that it is Nikki the full Vampire before him—her eyes have gone black – a slight trace of red fury deep within them. Her fangs are sharp and visible when she speaks . . . she has given total control over to her darker nature.

“So would I. Esther is accusing me of trespassing for entering a place where I live.” He says trying to evade the issue.

“You live at the Nightingale.” Esther reminds him.

“I have this room, I use it occasionally. Nikki made it for me.”

“Yes, I did, didn’t I? But—that is not why you are here and you know it!” Nikki’s voice now low, almost a whisper, a voice that Esther had never heard. “You are lying—lying to me.

“I am not lying—” he says – he is just not telling the whole truth, and he has been caught – but far too soon in his investigation.

“I am so sorry Nik, but, I told you . . . he seemed a little too interested in both where the globe was and that you not be where it is—” Esther says, very much aware that Nikki is absolutely livid.

“What the h**l do you think you are going to do with that globe, and why? Why do you want it so badly?” Nikki demands, in the voice that though low seems to cut through the air like a knife, bone chilling, “Do not deny to me that you came here for it, I know that you did!”

He looks up at her, “I thought you were going to the Blue Whale – to see Samantha Collins . . . “

Esther lowers the shotgun, knowing that it is moot at this point.

“I want an answer!”

Rhyaad nods, “Yes—I came here to examine the orb, of course I did. And Esther’s hyperbolic reaction is unwarranted. As is yours.”

“I have opened my house to you, I have allowed you to stay here, revealed to you this hidden chamber, where I keep the most guarded of secrets and this – this is how you repay me?” Esther did not like the sound of this voice, this was not Nikki – this was a cold and malevolent creature full of anger and vengeance. “A thief in the night?”

“How about we all just go back out into the parlor,” Esther has seen Nikki mad, but this – this is the most enraged she has ever seen her. Even though he was wrong, she wants to stop this before it reaches a point – they both will regret. “Let’s discuss this like civil people. Like friends, colleagues, co-workers. Rhyaad, there was no need to go sneaking around if you want to investigate something. It gives people the wrong impressions.”

Rhyaad looks past Nikki to Esther, who is at least rational, “I have seen what certain objects can do to those who would possess them. I could tell you stories. I have reason to be concerned about you keeping that thing in here.”

Nikki looks at him, her eyes narrowing, imperious. “There is no safe place for that thing!”

“And, I’m not sneaking Esther.” He says, and sits back, “And, I am quite comfortable to discuss this here.” He is still very wary of leaving Nikki the orb.

“That does not explain why you came here! You say it is to examine the orb, but did you ask me? No. Because this is all lies! You came here to steal it! Why? Why would you do this?” She stares at him—he has broken her heart!

“I have a safe in the dungeon of the Nightingale. I could keep it there for you.” He says and looks up – he wants to tell her – tell her what Coats suspects – but, he can’t – he is not sure.

Esther looks at him incredulous, “Trading one person’s safe house for another huh? Do you Double standard much?”

Rhyaad’s reply is more to Esther than Nikki, hoping she will understand, “It is merely that I am concerned about . . . what influence . . . that object may have over you.”

“I can see it in your eyes – you are hiding something – something— something is different. What is it?” She demands.

“I worry that your experiences might have—changed you.” He says concerned.

“Changed me?’ She snaps, the red in her eyes brightening “What has changed me is the fact that everyone I have ever trusted is full of deceit and lies . . . they all have betrayed me—that has changed me, yes.”

“Betray you? And just how am I doing that? Aren’t you and Esther exaggerating excessively?”

Outside the Old House a taxi drives up the drive, it’s headlights washing across the front windows.

Nikki steps closer and looks down at him.

The cab comes to a halt and the passenger door opens. Dr. Artemis gets out and pays the driver. He stops to look at the odd angle the Ferrari is parked, the interior light on, and the driver’s door is open.

Odd he thinks.

The cab backs up and drives away.

“No, it is you who have changed.” Nikki snarls, the low voice full of disgust.

Dr. Artemis walks up to the door.

DING-DONG!

Esther looks up and behind her—oh, God not now, not a visitor. “Nik, someone’s at the door. Why don’t you go and check who it is, I’ll watch him.”

“I have changed also. I have become calmer. And you seem to have gravitated in the opposite direction. Is there something wrong with you, Nichole?” He asks calmly.

“What is wrong with me?” The low voice is full of fury, “I have enough to worry about. Petofi’s ashes are gone; St. Clair is shot, nearly dead. There are vampires loose in Collinsport – and now, now I find that one of the few people I thought I could trust lies to me. Comes to my house in the night to steal from me. To betray my trust! Is there something wrong with me? Yes! There is! You!”

Esther approaches Nikki to try and calm her.

Dr. Artemis watches the tail lights of taxi and wishes he had told him to wait.

“You want that bloody globe?” She points at him, “Then take it! I am tired of trying to save this bloody little piece of ground. If the world comes crashing down, it is on you—Rhyaad de’Annar.”

DING-DONG!

Esther looks at Nikki—she cannot believe what she just heard her say.

Rhyaad nods. “Those are all good reasons to be troubled. But not for turning on your friends, nor for pointing shotguns at them” he glances at Esther, and then, suddenly looks up to Nikki with surprise. “You would give it to me?”

“Take it!” She tells him.

“You amaze me. And I have not betrayed you.”

“Yes, you have by being here.”

“And I want to know what you mean by “I am tired of trying to save this bloody little piece of ground.”

“Take it and leave. Take it and get out. Get out of my house! I will not be betrayed one more time!” She turns and in a blur shoves the panel door open as she storms out of the secret room.

Dr. Artemis peers through the glass of a window, and then steps back to the door to set his ear against it, “Miss Collins!”

Esther sighs, her head in her hand, “Rhy Rhy Rhy.”

“Esther please just listen to me.”

“Just shut the F*** up for a moment!”

As Nikki walks past the piano her keen eyes spots her car key and she quickly picks it up, and heads to the door, opening it to find Dr. Artemis.

“Oh! There you are Miss Collins.”

Esther walks over and sits down in front of him.

“Esther—“

Now hearing voices from the foyer, Esther holds up a finger, “Shhh . . . “

“Hello, Miss Collins . . . I hope I didn’t come at a bad time.”

“Good Evening Doctor.” Nikki says, her voice low and tight, her eyes no longer bright blue but black.

“Listen.” Esther tells him holding up a hand.

“Is everything okay?” The doctor asks, seeing her agitated state, aware of her eyes, the length and sharpness of her cuspids, “Have you fed recently?”

“This whole fiasco will only be aggravated if you do actually take the globe—you are aware of that.” Esther whispers to him, “ If you do, that’s your business—but if you do, she will never forgive you. I do not know what brought you to this decision. I really did not want it to come to this.” She tells him sincerely.

“No, that is not the problem Doctor. I am . . . just bloody well fed up.” She says unable to mask her anger. “With deceit.”

“What’s wrong? Can I help?” The doctor asks.

“I was hoping to have you explain your actions.” Esther tells him softly.

Rhyaad looks sadly at Esther and thinks: So was I.

He hears now Artemis’s voice outside the secret room. “Yes.” he says now loudly. “Please come in.”

“I am sorry Doctor.” Nikki says and steps out the door, “I was just heading out.”

Esther’s eyes widen, she looks at him, “What part of Shhhh you don’t seem to understand Rhyaad?”

“But do please come in.” She says, “Make yourself at home. See what’s left that Rhyaad hasn’t stolen.”

“Your hostility is unwarranted, Esther. And you don’t know what mistake you might be making. Neither do I. But in any case, you do not command me.”

“Well . . .” The doctor says, he has never seen Miss Collins in this state – for what she is, she has always maintained remarkable control. “I won’t stop you. But—if you should need someone to talk to . . . “

“Well, there is no reason for you to stand out here. Esther is inside and Mr. de’Annar—who should be leaving.”

“Very well.” Dr. Artemis enters, and glances at the portrait of Nikki’s father.

Nikki stops on her way to the car and turns to look back at him inside the door, “Doctor, to be truthful this may be good bye. I am thinking of returning home to England. I am used to being betrayed there.”

Esther looks at Rhyaad, like what part of this does he not get, “My hostility is due to the fact that you go sneaking off with the intention of stealing something that belongs to Sam Collins, when you could very easily have asked to have it moved to someplace you feel might be safer. I feel that an explanation should be forth coming.”

“Betrayed?” Dr. Artemis asks, confused, “I don’t understand. Did I do anything?”

“I am sorry I have to go.” Nikki says and gets back into the Ferrari. She starts the motor and shifts it into gear, spinning the tires as she backs the car around and races down the drive.

“And you will forgive the quietness of my voice, as I do not want whoever is in the other room to get involved.” Esther tells Rhyaad.

“I meant to examine it, and perhaps remove it for your own safety. However, now, we have another option. Dr. Artemis – in here please.” Rhyaad yells out the door of the secret room Nikki had shoved open.

“I . . .” The Doctor stands in the open front door watching the black car racing down the rough drive.

“What the h**l are you crazy!” Esther asks standing up. “I just said I did not want them involved!”

Dr. Artemis hearing the voices now moves through the foyer, past the piano toward the fireplace noticing the bookcase that seems to have been slid out into the room, leaving one end against the wall. As he approaches he sees now that is a secret panel to another room beyond. He heads toward it, “Yoo-hoo? Miss Friedman, Mr. de’Annar?”

The doctor steps over to the opening.

Esther hurries to the entrance of the secret room and closes the panel with no explanation to the doctor.

Esther she hears the automatic lock engage.

Dr. Artemis stops abruptly as the door is slammed in his face.

“I cannot trust you until you explain yourself Rhyaad. Why did you think it a good idea to examine it without permission?

Outside, down the drive to the winding access road, Samantha Brook walking up along the cracked chip and tar road stops and looks confused as she sees Nikki’s car flying past her.

Confronted with the door—and very curious as to what has so upset Miss Collins – and most particularly, who she believes to have betrayed her, Dr. Artemis takes out his stethoscope and sets it against the panel to listen.

Rhyaad comes up behind her. “How rude! You may have injured Dr. Artemis! And I really wish I could explain it to you, but I can only do that if we are alone. Now will you move out of the way and let Artemis in?”

“No.” She tells him, “This is a private room for a reason, Rhyaad – this is Nikki’s room! Do you not understand what you are doing?”

“Esther, if you do not move, I will move you by force.”

Dr. Artemis looks surprised – Mr. de’Annar is threatening Miss Friedman. He needs to figure out a way to get in there and protect her.

“Librarians with hidden agendas in this room? No, no, Rhyaad, they are not going to enter here, do you understand?

Dr. Artemis raises eyebrow, why this distrust of librarians?

“There is another way, but you won’t like it anymore. For the last time, PLEASE let him in, or I shall be forced to do something you will dislike even more.”

“Threats and more threats—that’s it Rhyaad? So, what you goin’ to do f**king kill me?” She asks him her eyes cold and harsh now. “First you have Blackwater attack Sam and now you would attack me?”

Dr. Artemis’ mouth opens in concern – this is what has upset Miss Collins and Miss Friedman. Mr. de’Annar is severely severing his relationship with them—has he gone mad? Well—he was the last time he saw him in the middle of an emotional breakdown. He is still delusional?

Esther stands and stares at Rhyaad—this is all too much. Nikki is right – he is beyond comprehension – this is the end.

“Esther!”

She turns and shoves the door open, pushing the doctor forcibly back and rushes out the open door. She nearly collides with Dr. Artemis, who recovering his balance is trying to put the stethoscope away, as she storms out into the parlor and out the front door with a slam.

“Ooph!” The doctor says – well aware now that he as arrived in the midst of a tempest within Collins Investigations. “I swear. Everyone is in such a rush today.”

“Welcome to Hell, Dr. Artemis,” Rhyaad tells him. “You might as well come in.”

“A h**l of your own making it would seem.”

Dr. Artemis tentatively steps into the secret room now, his curiosity drawing him in further as he looks around the large chamber – and he cannot believe the books in the bookcase – books severely restricted and locked away at the university. He notes the diagram on the floor – he knows it from the Necronomicon. There is a small parlor set up – and is that a cell back there, he thinks.

“What’s going on here?” The doctor asks, not at all certain of de’Annar. He is well aware that he had had some emotional breakdown. Artemis had seen him in fits of uncontrolled sobbing on a Collinsport bench only days ago. And now? The doctor watches him cautiously. “The women are in a terrible hurry to get out.”

“There is something I wish to show you. Which for some reason Esther and Nikki would just about kill me to prevent me from showing it to you. Odd, isn’t that?”

Dr. Artemis looks at him, “Not really.”

“How so?” He walks now past the bed the cell and over to the door that leads to yet another room within the hidden room, where Nikki hides her coffin.

The doctor does not reply as he places a hand on one of the cell bars and pulls on it to see that it is of sturdy construction, he should not have to explain the reason to de’Annar.

Rhyaad removes his robe, and opening the door gestures for the doctor to come over. “It’s supposed to be in here.”

The doctor steps over to look into open doorway and sees the coffin sitting in the small room.

“Do you sleep in there?” He asks Rhyaad.

He shakes his head. “Nikki did.” He uses the folded robe to cover his hands as he opens the coffin. “Until Samantha Evans coaxed her out of it – I mean Samantha Collins.”

“There are a confusion of Samantha’s to be sure,” His interests now on the coffin as Rhyaad enters the room and steps over to Nikki Collins’ casket. Dr. Artemis is not sure he should even be in the room – and is suddenly very surprised to see Mr. de’Annar reaching for the coffin lid.

“Hey,” The doctor now protests – he is aware that is this is a serious breach of etiquette – something he would never do, “That’s rather personal!”

“I haven’t slept in a coffin for millennia. And yes, it is.” Rhyaad says and glances at the doctor, recalling how Nikki had accused him of betrayal – and his protests against it, but now he was opening her coffin. “I suppose she’s right. I am betraying her. But I expected to have a chance to explain to Esther. I expected to have more time to make a decision. Now it’s all blown to h**l.”

“So . . . the usual situation with you.” Dr. Artemis shakes his head, looking into the red velvet lining of the open casket.

“This is not the time for petty banter, Doctor.” Rhyaad says, “Now, don’t touch that orb lying there, but can you tell me what you think of it.”

The orb in question was nothing more than a slightly larger than normal sized novelty snow globe.

“It was delivered by a Mr. Cairo, and used as part of a device that scattered us through time and dimensions.” Rhyaad tells him, “I consider it to be very dangerous.”

“A snow globe?” The doctor asks, looking at the object in question. “It is a snow globe, Mr. de’Annar.”

He removes a white handkerchief from his pocket and reaches in and picks it up.

Rhyaad gasps—“Doctor!”

“It’s a snow globe.” Dr. Artemis tells him, as he turns it over to see a brass label on the base, which is too worn to read. Inside, amidst the swirling snow, it looks like a small town – yes, it is Collinsport. Only as he looks at it, the snow swirling about – it seems to change, it almost looks like his old house, when he was a boy – yes it is his house. Only, then it becomes Collinsport again.

The doctor raises an eyebrow.

He cuts a quick glance to Mr. de’Annar, and then puts the globe back into the casket – this is something he needs to discuss with Miss Collins.

“I am considering giving it to you, to lock in your basement of dangerous things.”

“To me?”

“Yes.”

“Is it yours to give?” The doctor asks not at all ready to betray Miss Collins’ trust.

“The man who brought it claims to deal in antiquities, but actually he deals in magical objects.”

“Who does?”

“Cairo.”

“Cairo?”

“Yes. He is supposed to be an antiquates dealer.”

“I’d like to meet this man.”

Rhyaad shakes his head, “I don’t think you would. He is not to be trusted.”

“So, your saying Miss Collins ordered this globe from this Cairo fellow?” Dr. Artemis asks.

Rhyaad sighs again. “There is so much I simply can’t trust you to tell, Artemis. Because you do not trust me. Cairo delivered the globe at just the suspiciously right time to cause us to be flung asunder in time and space.”

Dr. Artemis looks at him suspiciously. Still undergoing delusions? “Uh-huh.”

“We were Doctor. I have been to the Dreamlands.”

Dr. Artemis looks once again at the globe, “I’d like to know whose property that is . . . And why does Nikki sleep with it?”

“Possession is an illusion. Technically it belongs to Samantha Collins.”

“Hmm.” The doctor says and glances back at Rhyaad de’Annar, the confines of the narrow casket room now beginning to feel rather claustrophobic.

“Nikki chose her coffin as a hiding place. She is not sleeping with it. She doesn’t sleep here anymore, I don’t think.”

“I don’t think I have Samantha Collins phone number.” Dr Artemis says as he takes out his cell phone and checks his contacts stepping out of the small room.

“I can get it for you. But the important decision now is what should I do? If I believe there’s a chance Nichole might use this object for evil purpose, should I take it from her? Should I place it in your safekeeping? Or would that only make things worse—her opinion that I have betrayed her. Or does it even matter – does she already irrevocably think that?”

Dr. Artemis looks at him concerned, “Evil purpose? What do you suspect of Nikki Collins?”

“I . . . I don’t feel comfortable telling you that.”

Dr. Artemis raises an eyebrow.

“I fear for her, for what you might do to her, if it is true.”

“Well, I would be happy to take the thing for safekeeping . . . “ The doctor now beginning to wonder if he should not secure it from Mr. de’Annar.

Rhyaad closes the coffin and wipes a small drop of blood from the corner of his eye.

“But, as I said, what do you think Nikki Collins did? And to whom?” The doctor asks again.

“I have said too much already.” Rhyaad pauses. “No, I can’t do it. I can’t betray her. I will just have to hope that I have made the right decision, to stick with who you care about, and hope we don’t all pay a high price for my folly.”

Dr. Artemis looks at de’Annar. Once again he cannot forget the night of sobbing on the bench in Collinsport, and just how emotionally out of control he had been, and now, yet again, there is a tear. Is he about to breakdown once more? He looks back into the coffin room concerned now that perhaps he should not leave this orb with de’Annar. It is Miss Collins’ property and she no doubt has given it to Nikki Collins for safekeeping, but now it is within reach of de’Annar, who maybe unstable. “ I think I should take this thing back to Arkham and leave a note for Nikki Collins. If everything is OK, then I can return it to her.”

Rhyaad ponders his decisions, standing there looking at her coffin, “I shall not give you the Globe. He steps back out of the room with Artemis and closes the door. “No. Not now. No matter my doubts – I can’t, I just can’t. But I do want you to know about it. Should we all mysteriously disappear again, if that happens then suspect this thing.”

Dr. Artemis looks at him confused, “Again?”

“It’s possible.”

“Not according to the laws of physics, Mr. de’Annar.”

Rhyaad gives a bitter laugh. “And who . . . I mean what . . . are you saying this to?”

“But never mind that. “ The doctor says, becoming more uncertain of Mr. de’Annar, “I need to talk to Nikki Collins. Or Samantha Collins.”

“I’d suggest Samantha first. I am sure Nikki is in a foul mood.”

“Do you have her number?”

Dr. Artemis now glances over at the large book on the pedestal – he steps over and looks at it, amazed to find this here. He picks it up. He had heard rumors that such a volume existed – one that had been entitled Qanoon-e-Islam – but now the rumor was true as he was holding the volume.

“Yes. But now I may ask you something that will make you snarl and run from me in anger as well. If you stay, I’ll give you her number.”

Dr. Artemis gives him a puzzled stare.

“Several actually. Can you really go crazy from reading those books?”

“Me?” The doctor asks looking up from the text.

“Anyone”

“People have gone crazy reading the Bible and the Quran.” He replies evenly.

“I need direct answers, Artemis, for once. I need to know.”

Dr. Artemis, an eyebrow raised closes the book and sets it down. “Some people, reading these books, have had ideas revealed to them that were more than they could handle. The human mind has limitations. Sometimes, we pass those limitations. Why do you ask?”

“I know. But could someone . . . well . . . get delusions. Or . . . be affected by . . . um . . . ah . . . . extradimensional beings?” Rhyaad asks and takes a seat on the old chair

“De’Annar. . . .” The doctor looks at him sardonically, “You ARE an extradimensional being. Who are you trying to affect?”

“I don’t consider myself to be. And I am not trying to affect anyone. The reverse. I am trying to tell if someone is affected.”

Dr. Artemis shakes his head, and walks over to sit on the sofa, “You are always telling me you are from another dimension, and that’s why the normal laws on Elves and vampires do not apply to you.”

“Laws are abstract unreal concepts made up by men. Nature is not law: it simply is. And your knowledge of vampires is severely limited to your Christian concepts. But that’s another matter. You see why I have such a hard time trusting you? I risk my very friendship with Nikki Collins to ask you for advice, and you argue with me.”

“As for delusions,” The doctor replies, “People get them all the time. Why should they not get delusions from reading a work that unveils the secrets of the universe? And, have I ever said I am a Christian?”

“I’ve been mincing words. How do you tell if a person is possessed by one of your so-called gods?”

“My gods? I do not worship these entities” The doctor says with some irritation, “It seems to me your friendship with Nikki Collins is put at risk by yourself, not me.” He looks around the room, “I would think this is a very, very private room of hers.”

“Yes. I risk my friendship to ask for your help.” Rhyaad nods, “But you believe in them.”

Dr. Artemis looks over at the Necronomicon, “Those entities are dead. They cannot possess anyone.” He then looks back over at Rhyaad de’Annar again, “But there are others . . . lesser servitors, creatures of immense power, still extant. They might take possession of a mortal.

Rhyaad takes another deep breath. “What if I told you our office was personally visited by Nyarlathotep. Twice?”

Dr. Aretmis smiles, “Twice? I would say it is more like daily. No, make that constantly.”

“What? What do you mean by that? Surely he doesn’t visit us constantly?”

Dr. Artemis notices the lights flicker once. He then looks piercingly at de’Annar, ”You know so little. So d**ned little.”

“Yes. And I am so alone.”

“Oh no. You are never alone.” The doctor smiles.

“Are you trying to frighten me? What do you mean?” Rhyaad now asks confused.

“You can reveal yourself.” The doctor tells him, “You can drop the mask.”

At that moment, Sam spins through the front door, holding a bottle with a long straw in it and swaying with each dancing step.

“What in the nine hells are you talking about?” Rhyaad asks,

“Your kind are infinitely closer to—” The doctor begins, but Rhyaad holds up a hand.

“Someone’s here”

“What? Who? You might want to make sure the secret room door is closed.” The doctor suggests quickly. “We don’t know who it is.”

“My kind is closer to what, Doctor?”

Dr. Artemis gives him a look and gets up to quickly assure the door is closed.

Samantha Brook totters now to the sound of the slight click of the automatic lock as the doctor moves the panel door into place. She presses an eye to side of the bookcase that houses the hidden hinges of the secret doorway, “MMMMM”

“Who’s out there? Smells like Samantha after she’s been drinking.”

The doctor takes a look out of the small peephole, “Yes, she is just pouring herself a drink.”

“Not her first, I bet.”

“mMmmMM.’ She taps on the wall.

The doctor gives Rhyaad a confirming glance.

“Are you going to answer my question, or let her in?”

“She’s already in and playing chess.”

“I meant in here. And who’s she playing chess with.”

“No one.”

“Figures.”

“Well, since the person I hoped to speak with nearly ran me over as I got here . . .” The doctor says not at all sure he is comfortable discussing this with him – without Miss Collins, ”And this is her private room, I may as well take my leave.”

“She was rather angry.” Rhyaad admits.

The doctor looks at him – “Furious is the correct word.” He takes out his cell phone again and dials, “Acme Cab Company? This is Dr. Artemis. Could you please send Harold back out where he dropped me off? Oh good. I’ll wait. Thank you.” It seems Harold had moved out on to the access road waiting for him. He would remember to assure he got a well-deserved tip.

The doctor starts to open the door. “Goodnight, Mr. de’Annar.”

“Wait Doctor. I have one more question. Which you may not want to answer?”

The doctor opens the secret panel and steps out – to a surprised Miss Brook. “Good night Miss Brook.”

“MMMMM!” She says seeing him coming out of Nikki’s secret room.

Rhyaad follows him, “Doctor. Please.”

Dr. Artemis hears the cab pulling up outside as he walks across the foyer.

“Do you know any way of telling if someone is possessed, or under the influence, of our Crawling Chaos friend? Who by the way has been walking the Earth in person since the 1920’s or 30’s.”

Dr. Artemis looks up at the portrait in the foyer once more.

“Well, Artemis?”

Dr. Artemis reaching for the door, turns with a knowing smile, “Goodnight, everyone.”

He exits and closes the door behind him and walks over to the cab, “Harold – thank you.”

“Thought you’d be needing a ride doctor.” Harold smiles at him in the rear view mirror as he settles in the back seat.

“Fine. Be an ass.” Rhyaad calls out as he leaves. “When Nyarlathotep rocks your world, don’t blame ME.”

The cab drives off as the moonlight night now begins to darken ominously.

“Asshole!” Rhyaad stands in the foyer and mutters. “I risk everything just to get a little help out of that man, and he gives me nothing. That is absolutely the last time I make the mistake of trusting Dr. Artemis for anything.”

Cue Music End of Episode