Black Crystal Part 1 - The Origin

Chapter Thirty Seven ~ The Hood River Curse

John looked out the window as the night grew long. Though the city of Hood River didn't stir late at night, he knew all too well what was to come. It's the same every damn night, he thought to himself frequently. The people are completely unaware of it, but they know well enough to keep their doors locked at night. Bartholomew... when I find you, I will kill you for good. He watched the clock in the lobby. Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock. Just moments away from Midnight, when it would begin. John hurried up the stairs of the inn and slowly opened the door to Garen's room. Both Garen and Diedrich were asleep, safe and sound. Slowly, he closed the door and ran back downstairs, arming himself with a high-powered rifle, engineered by himself to fire scatter shots in three directions.

"They'll be here soon," he whispered to himself. "I bet they'll target Garen now. Guess it's time." John watched the second hand go. Five. Four. Three. Two. One. Midnight started right then and there, and as soon as it happened, a shade of red seemed to envelop the moon. Black and purple flames surrounded the city of Hood River, and the entire visual architecture of the city seemed to change. The paint started to peel off the buildings, bricks crumbled, and the bridge that bordered the Oregon and Washington Provinces disappeared entirely. John watched the front door of the inn intently. Any second now... And as he thought that, there was a loud bang on the door. "Come in!" John exclaimed with a welcoming voice. Two pale-skinned men with eyes red as blood burst into the inn armed with swords, but as soon as they did, John fired the rifle. A single shot hit both demons, and once the bullets penetrated their torsos, their bodies faded away to ashes. "As soon as Garen wakes up," John whispered, watching as more demons began patrolling the streets, "We're leaving this town."