April 15th
I found myself acquainted with a queer man who was middle aged, meek, and squirrelly. We met through friends and found common interest in scientific phenomena of the cosmos. It seems he felt connected to something beyond this world, he felt a purpose out there more than he found one here. Something beyond the scope of this mortal coil. It wasn’t until 4 months succeeding our first impression that he informed me of his dilemma. We lived 2 hours apart, but he assured me that the travel would be worth the time. My father had recently fallen ill and while I was worried to leave him, he assured me he could make contact with a friend to stay for a week while I was away. Something compelled me to take up this offer and make my travel plans.
April 19th
I made the trek to the outskirts of the hamlet he resided near; Arkham. His house was a pleasant carved stone anomaly and appeared to be far older than many of the other homes around. Encased by farmland, there wasn’t much else to see. To the South I could see an ominous, purplish cloud arising from the cornfield. Something about it inspired haste in my step.
Upon knocking on the door, I heard a mad shuffling, scrambling to answer. “Yes, yes, one moment!” The door flew open with a humble smile awaiting me. “My friend! I’m so happy you’ve come. Please come on in; coffee, tea, water, what can I get you?”
I was taken aback. He sure was recognizable. Short, handsome, if a bit frumpy. Keeping my composure I said, “Hello! I hope you’re well. I’ll take tea please, something strong.” He nodded with an ecstatic approval and motioned me inside. Walking through the door I was also greeted with the scent of his home. The distinctiveness of one’s home can be anywhere from not discernible to overbearing. Here felt like botanicals that I’ve never experienced before. It didn’t feel like an artificial scent so I thought it respectful to not ask. The house was well furnished and actually quite organized. Many mugs and books adorned the tables and walls stealing most of my attention. Looks mostly to be cryptozoology and the like. There was even a fireplace in the main living space with an ornate and elegantly framed mirror above it. “So what kinds of things have you been up to? Looks busy in here.”
“Well I guess I’ve been on sort of a hunt, a reverse hunt!” He went to the kitchen and I heard him fashioning the tea together, “In the sense that the thing I’m hunting is already here. I just don’t know what the devil it is.”
Perplexing to even conjure an idea that fits that bill. “Like an animal? Bug, bird, fish? What do you mean?” As I asked, he came from the kitchen with a quickly brewed beverage and I made a nervous first sip as he answered.
“Well that’s the crux. I simply don’t know… It’s a being. It is fully white, almost glowing. It’s about 7 feet tall. I-I-I don’t even know how else to put it but it is unlike any animal you would find on our planet.” He became flustered at the thought of it.
I couldn’t help but ponder on his previous statement, “What did you mean by it’s ‘already here’?”
The evening was closing in fast as dusk settled in the sky. He simply told me to follow him and we found ourselves with lanterns on our way out to the cornfield. “I’d wager a guess that the smoke is our destination?”
“Ever astute and perceptive! You would be correct.” He seemed to teem with excitement. This felt as if I was the only one, other than him, to see this site. The closer we came, the more opaque the smoke became. Some deep indigo hues emanated from the core and it appeared as thick as an oil fire.
A deep anxiety gripped my heart. “Should I cover my face with my handkerchief or take some precaution?” The smoke looked oppressive.
As he led on, he turned his head with a stretchy smile. “My dear friend, please trust me when I say no. It will be as clear as day.” I suppose I took his word for it. As we began to enter the smoke, I held my breath regardless. But each step forward brought a clarity to my sight that I didn’t quite understand. As we inched towards the origin point it seemed to slant downwards like some kind of staircase that went below ground. The opacity transformed to become an enhancer, in that I began to see the ground and the tunnel with extreme acuity. The decline continued and the tunnel appeared to be crafted from a glass-like rock with a rainbow sheen. I realized my mouth was agape and I could hardly believe what I was seeing. The tunnel opened up to an exact square, roughly 6 by 6 feet. Looking ahead emulated a beautiful kaleidoscopic view that ended in a white glow.
After what seemed like a few minutes of walking, he turned around and put his hand out on my chest. “Now I understand you will not believe this. You are the second man to ever see this…” I was hung up on his every word, but that glow snatched my gaze. But he fell silent for a moment before recrudescing into his final words, “…prepare to meet a god.”
The white glow appeared to manifest into more of a physical presence as we approached. I wasn’t entirely sure what to make of it. I could make out a figure of some kind; tall, thin, with towering appendages. And a pulsating? No. It’s skin flowed like a river, top to bottom. Although we continued, it never once made a discernible or conscious movement. When he eventually stopped, I stopped as well. Standing about 10 feet away from the ‘entity’. “…what is it?” I croaked.
“It can’t or won’t speak much. It came from out there. This is the single most important event in the history of mankind.” he deliberately described. Sounded almost rehearsed.
I almost wanted to wave but my muscles stiffened. “Can I say hello to it?” He gave a slow, approving nod without turning back. “Hello.” I tried to say with utmost tact.
The air felt empty and clear still. So when I heard it without the sound hitting my ears, I knew this was real. “Hello.” I heard it like clear water in a stream and it sent a shiver down my spine.
I was in utter shock as my friend finally turned to glance at me with a grin strewn across his face. He clearly heard it too. He even acknowledged it, “Yes?”
“Yes.” It was around this moment I noticed bits of food on the ground. A carrot, a loaf of bread, a cut of beef, and a sweet of some kind. All placed in a line. “Did it bring these?” I said in complete confusion.
“No, absolutely not. I brought it food as an offering!” he replied harshly. “I hope and pray that it will take it and give us knowledge in return.”
“Does it eat?”
“Well I don’t know for su-”
“No.” It spoke in the monotonous tone again.
We both felt petrified. He retorted in a quaint voice, “What do you want?” We awaited an answer for roughly half a minute.
“Want?” it said as it made a slight adjustment, finally moving. However, the remainder of our visit slowly faded. It had nothing more to say. We picked up the food cautiously before making our way out. My head was spinning. Even as I emerged I found my mind stuck below.
“Well? Brilliant? Incredible? An actual deity, on my property speaking with me! I have met with it multiple times and I think it is learning. I think it wants me to serve it.” He rattled off 1000 thoughts a second. I barely had time to absorb anything he had said. Perhaps an oversight. But all I could think of was sleep.
April 25th
The following days after my first contact, I found my friend making more and more frequent trips to the site. I only made 2 more trips since the first. In doing so, I found the site had been more decorated with household objects and the entity being more talkative. When I asked about the decorations, I was simply told they were made to the being’s will. Although I’m not sure how true this was. Many of the answers I heard the entity give were simplistic and consisted of no personal opinions. Questions it either didn’t want to answer or couldn’t answer, it simply sat in silence to. It never gave a name, a purpose, a want, a need, a craving, or even the desire to move from the small crater it made. I continued to be confused and overwhelmed by the situation while my friend appeared to continue worshiping every bit of it. This is what kept me from the light being. I worried what activities and questions he proposed while I was absent. That he was more worried about how to be an apostle than a researcher.
Regardless, it was my last night before I return to my father. Despite the sheer cosmic conundrum I found myself in, I still worried for my only remaining loved one. I even entertained the thought of telling him the things I’ve seen here, not that he would believe me or even remember it. It seemed my father’s mind had been ridden with holes that leaked his memories faster than he could make them at this point.
The front door opened quickly as I drank my tea. “Wowee, what a day! I’m always ready to go back out, did you want to go out again tonight?” I listened to his excitement with poise.
I responded, “Honestly, I think I’m okay. I’m not quite sure what else I have to offer to it in terms of questions.”
“Well… I just remembered it’s your last night so if you change your mind let me know. Perhaps you can offer it more than just questions, right?” he eyed me suspiciously as he asked. I grew uncomfortable and didn’t entertain what he meant. I simply responded that I was tired and needed rest for the trip in the morning. Not entirely untrue.
April 25th
Something had stirred me from my sleep in the night. In pitch darkness, I did not risk searching the house or the surroundings. But the longer I laid, the more I could hear the noise that had woken me. A chant. It sounded hollow and ethereal almost. Not entirely inhuman, but the words didn’t even sound of this Earth. I focused on the chant. It clearly originated from the crater. This sacrificed my precious sleep for longer than I cared for. Perhaps it’s good that I was leaving tomorrow.
April 26th
I carried my enthusiasm for leaving into the next morning. The living room had lost the charismatic “organized chaos” look, fallen to simply chaos. It looked picked through. A lot of the objects were missing and it almost appeared as if it were burgled or in preparation for leaving. When offering my farewell, I thought it best to warn him of becoming prey or something worse for this entity. I also implored him to write his observations and findings, as a proper man of science would. As an astronomer of old would do to make his name that of legends. Despite agreeing, I couldn’t help but worry. I made no mention of the noises the night before. For my leave was imminent, and I had enough questions as is.
I had returned home. I was full of worry. The state of my father, the state of my friend. I hoped to something that at least one of these woes would be gone. When I entered my home I found my father sitting in his chair. He offered a passing glance that had my heart in suspension before a smile was drawn on his face and his eyes welled with excitement. “My boy! Come, come have a sit!” He did it. He recognized me still. I was ecstatic and knelt down to give him a hug. It was incredible. He seemed to be at his best I’ve seen him in a few years! As I went to grab a seat next to him, my dad’s friend entered the room with the kettle and two tea cups.
“Ah, welcome back! Just made a fresh pot to enjoy our afternoon.” he said warmly.
“You are incredible, thank you. I owe you a massive debt for this week, seriously.”
“Please, your father is a joy to be around. And around the third night he appeared to spruce up and we’ve had a wonderful time. I would be happy to have his company any time.”
I was overjoyed at the generosity, “Incredible! Would you join us? I was just going to tell of my trip.”
My father spoke, “Yes, I’d love to hear!”
His friend, however, opted to pack his things to be on his way. “I really would love to stay, but I’ve made prior arrangements that I shouldn’t be late to. Again, please let me know if you two ever need anything.” We said our goodbyes and well wishes before I was able to finally let loose the knowledge of the farmland and the crater. As I explained, my father was confused before thinking I was jesting. But upon my reassurance I also added the nightmare chants I had awoken to. Hearing this, he soon believed the things I had told him. He even encouraged me to go back but I was not comfortable with leaving my father so soon again. I explained that I needed time to reflect and absorb. To find a purpose in going back beyond simple curiosity.
My father smiled at this statement and said, “I love you, son.”
I said right back, “I love you too dad. I’m glad to be home.”
May 19th
The only previous day I documented was my arrival back at home. I guess I was too busy enjoying my remaining time before my father passed. That day is today. I have never felt an onslaught of emotions such as this. So much sorrow and frustration, but mostly confusion again. My tether has been cut and I am stranded.
May 22nd
My friend caught wind of the terrible news and sent me a letter. It proved to have a response about as strange as I predicted.
“I can’t begin to express my sorrow and offer you my sincerest condolences. I really do pray that he passed peacefully and you spent all the time you could with him. I couldn’t stand to experience the pain of losing a loved one again for the rest of my days. My life serves a greater purpose now. If you ever want to see it, let me know.”
I wish I could say it was cryptic, but he was quite clear in the final sentence. I can’t think about it right now. It hurts too much.
June 14th
I’ve finally found some zeal to leave my house. The past weeks have been worse than I’d care to admit. But I think some time away could do me some good. I created and sent a reply that I would come for another visit. It was the only place I could go that I wouldn’t have to pretend to be normal for the time being. Although I wasn’t sure I wanted to see it again. I left with no expectations. It was the best thing for me.
When I finally arrived I could see the cornfield site still, although with much less haze than before. It seemed to have left but an afterglow of what I once saw. Like an aura that clung to the surrounding air. Approaching the front door, I noticed that it was completely dark through the windows. Evening had fell now and it was certainly odd that he had no light sources to be seen. I reached out and knocked on the door. “Hello? Are you in there?” I called out. It could very well be that he was in the tunnel. I guess it would be worth checking after bringing my bags inside. I tried the handle and found the door unlocked, swinging it open on it’s loose hinges. “Hello!” I called again. Nothing. I quickly brought my bags in, finding the place pitch black. I couldn’t see a damned thing save for about a foot in front of me. I walked over to the fireplace, remembering an assortment of candles I had seen there earlier. I took cautious steps before I heard a sharp crunch beneath my feet. I couldn’t tell what it was but each step I took was adorned by the invasive noise that cut through the silence of the house. I was finally able to reach out and grab a candle and light it with the matchbox in my pocket. I immediately noticed that the mirror above the fireplace had been shattered into pieces on the ground by some kind of blunt force. About half of the mirror remained in fragments on the frame.
I finally turned around back toward my bags and then I saw him. A now lifeless husk, bound to the chair in the opposite corner of me. The candlelight presented a horrifying visage that looked ghoulish. I admit the only real identifying feature was he was wearing the same outfit I had seen him in 2 months ago. Hard to say if he ever changed out of it or not. I got closer to see if I could identify what had happened. I’m not a doctor of medicine, however, and the shock of seeing him in this state didn’t help. No cuts, blunt force, rips or tears. The only thing I could tell was that he had been “sucked” dry it seemed. His skin was wrinkled and inhumanly discoloured. Like a beige that had been bruised purple. The face was contorted to that of a scream that was no longer heard. Thinking back, I never noticed a smell walking into the house. What could do such a thing without leaving a trace of putrid stench?
When I realized the danger of ending up in the same position, I promptly grabbed my bags to take my leave. I quickly ran outside where I found the coach that I arrived on had not even packed up to leave again. With a thin veil of calm I was able to arrange a trip back home.
I don’t know what happened. I don’t know what it is. I don’t know where it is. I could have came back earlier to save him. None of it concerns me now. For I am alone in this knowledge. I am alone.
