NEWSCLIPPINGS
| AUTHOR'S NOTE: A lot of times in my D Is For Damien series of novels, reference is made to newsclippings, news articles, book snippets, etc. regarding specific plot points. I thought it might be interesting to try to gather a few of these and type up some more and see how they look compiled in "scrapbook" format.
"I've been keeping up on you. I told people to watch out for anything about you, and you should just see my scrapbook." "Scrapbook?" Damien echoed, his face lined with disbelief. Father Damien nodded and laughed. "Yes. I suppose you could say I'm your biggest fan. Now how's that for ironic?" Damien shook his head to clear it. "You mean to tell me you've been keeping a scrapbook on me?" Lucifer, "Chapter 3: Getting To Know You"
Snippets from a book mentioned in Lucifer, "Chapter 6: Late Pursuits": Astrology Astrology is an ancient science, dating back to the very beginnings of civilization. It is a study filled with occult symbols and terminology, many of them confusing to the neophyte. Here we will present a basic outline of the major points of Astrology, beginning with the aspects of the twelve signs. Aries: Aries is the first sign of the Zodiac, being that of the Ram, ruled by the planet Mars and representing the month of April. Those born under the sign of the Ram are said to be headstrong and impulsive. They favor a rather wild lifestyle and live for the moment, always wishing for excitement. People born under this sign are usually tall and well built, with reddish hair (due to the influence of the planet Mars). Sometimes their eyebrows even blend in with the nose to form the classic symbol of the Ram.... [section omitted] ...Scorpio: Scorpio is a rather unique sign of the Zodiac, being a triune of symbols--the Scorpion, the Snake, and the Eagle, the last alternately known as the Phoenix or the Dove. Scorpio is ruled jointly by the planets Mars and Pluto; we will speak of this rulership, and its overall effects upon the characteristics and mannerisms of the sign, in more detail later in this treatise. As there are three different symbols for Scorpio, so are there three different types. The lowest type is the Snake. These people are those who live on the fringes of society, quite self-degrading and hateful, but usually harmless to anyone save themselves. Those born under the Eagle, Dove, or Phoenix are the highest; they alone have managed to overcome all obstacles to achieve happiness on this plane, and as such are prepared to better serve humanity. Those born under the Scorpion, however, are the ones to fear. Like the scorpion, their sting is deadly, and they will not hesitate to inflict pain upon those who cross them. They demand power and respect from all, and will not tolerate disobedience or insolence of any kind. It is these people of whom the reader is advised to beware. Though most certainly not all are dangerous, quite a few can be, and will. The Scorpio physiognomy... (Remainder of section not included in story.)
Selection from a paganism book mentioned in Lucifer, "Chapter 12: Streams Of Information": In the earliest days of the pagans, including in ancient Greece, the goat was the symbol of virility. The Greeks worshipped a demigod by the name of Pan, who was represented as a man with the hind legs, horns, and beard of a goat; the stories of his many escapades with nymphs are just one example of how the goat got its reputation. After the fall of the Roman Empire paganism continued in Europe, where many witch-cults deified the goat, as did the ancient Greeks; many minor cults sprang up. The heretic Cathars were said to worship goats; this is unlikely, as according to their doctrine they believed everything of the material world to be evil. Some modern-day witch-cults possess two deities--the Mother-Goddess and the Horned God, the latter basically a modernization of Pan. As did the rabbit, the goat acquired quite a reputation for procreation. Since the goat's image was so heavily influenced by the "pagan" religions of Greece and Rome, the Christians condemned the goat as a sign of evil. In so doing they created one of the strongest images of the pagan "faith" left today--that of the goat as Satan. In the Bible it was said that the goats would be separated from the sheep, as the evil from the good; of course, as time went on, the goat came to be more closely identified with the Devil, even lending him his physical characteristics: Many representations of Satan depict him as a horrid goat-legged man with horns, as well as a forked tail and pitchfork. If the story of the Fall from Heaven is any indication, then this representation is untrue. Among Satanists--as well as among other neopagan religions--fertility is held as almost sacred; as such, the goat in turn became more important. The Satanists have even adopted the goat for their symbology, incorporating its head into the inverted pentagram. The pentagram, or five-pointed star, has always been a symbol of man; the upper point was the head, and this sign also came to represent enlightenment and wisdom. However, the Satanists inverted it, as they did with the Christian cross, twisting the meaning around to fit their purpose. The enlightened man became the earthly goat, which came to be known in Satanic circles as "Baphomet." The origins of this name are unknown; some say it may have been a corruption of "Mahomet," the name of the "god" of the Knights Templar, which we'll cover in detail further on.
Death threat delivered in Lucifer, "Chapter 16: Threatened": WHOSOEVER RUNNETH AWAY HE SHALL BE PUNISHED BY THE GOAT THE BLOOD OF THE LAMB SLAY THE LAMB SLAY THE LAMB SLAY THE FIRST-BORN SLAY THE CHILDREN SLAY THOSE WHO RUN AWAY THEY SHALL BE MADE BLIND AND THEIR BLOOD SHALL RUN ACROSS THE EARTH AND HIS FOLLOWERS SHALL REJOICE WITH PRAISE TO THEE WE SLAY THIS LAMB WE MAKE THIS SACRIFICE WE MAKE THOSE WHO WOULD RUN AWAY TO BE BLIND AND TO BE DEAD DO NOT APPROACH TOO CLOSELY LEST THE EYES BE TORN OUT BY THE EAGLE THE ANKLE BITTEN BY THE SNAKE AND THE BLOOD POISONED BY THE SCORPION FOR HE WILL HE WILL HE WILL KILL YOU.
Letter delivered in Lucifer, "Chapter 23: The End Of The Matter": Dami, Not much time to write. Have to keep moving. Managed to slip away and wanted to let you know I'm okay. Don't worry about me. I've made it this far and I can still keep on keeping on. Was so sorry to hear about Danser. It's my fault. If I keep away, maybe the bad luck will leave you and follow me. I can take it. Don't give up, Dami. I won't if you won't. I know for a fact Lilith loves you and your family. Maybe it just wasn't meant that you and your father should meet. Someday, though... Have to go now. They're probably looking for me and this is one place they'll keep an eye on. Don't worry about that either. They won't go after you. Not yet. But please be careful from now on. They're still out there, and you've angered them. I wish it all could have been different somehow but wishes don't help. Maybe I'll see you again someday. Love, E. D.
Police report snippet, Cheboygan State Police post, mentioned in D Is For Damien, "Chapter 3: Information & Discovery": Several missing animals reported found outside city limits. Throats cut, bodies mutilated, incl. removal of hearts (not found). Three dogs, one cat killed. Alleged "satanic" symbols painted on trees in animals' blood (see pic.). Owners of three animals contacted. No suspects, no arrests have been made. Case closed due to insufficient manpower.
Tiny snippet of Luther Broderick's criminal record, from D Is For Damien, "Chapter 5: Revelations": Broderick, Luther... [selection omitted] Charged with three counts of murder in the first degree, two counts of arson with intent to harm, two counts of attempted murder, three counts of rape.
Death threat delivered in D Is For Damien, "Chapter 7: Threats": We know where your kids go to play: a secret treehouse out near a field. Watch them lest some unfortunate accident befall them. We know all about your family as well: Esmeralda age 8 Harvey age 7 Cynthia age 3 Timothy age 2 Be careful what you say and do. You wouldn't want something to happen to them.
Personal essay revealed in a dream in D Is For Damien, "Chapter 9: Illusions": My Uncle Damien By Harvey Age 7 My name is Harvey I come from the city Where I come from Things ain't always pretty My uncle's name is Damien. He got that name from his uncle who's a priest. We live together in a house in Cheboygan County. A lot of other people live with us too. I had an adopted sister named Esmeralda but she liked to be called Ez. Uncle Damien is still pretty upset about what happened to her, and so am I because she was my sister. She was killed a while ago. We used to play near the railroad bridge. One day Dami and her were there when it started to rain so he went home to get an umbrella and when he came back she was... (Rest of essay omitted.)
Transcript of a computer program in D Is For Damien, "Chapter 12: 'Lean Beast'": DAMIEN: BY NOW YOU HAVE LOADED THE LEAN BEAST PROGRAM AND HAVE FOUND MY LETTER. GOOD WORK ON FINDING THE CODE NAME. YOU MAY BE WONDERING WHY I LEFT THIS MESSAGE FOR YOU. IF YOU ARE INDEED READING IT NOW, THAT REASON IS OBVIOUS, AS I AM NOW DEAD. YOU MAY ALSO BE WONDERING HOW I KNEW THIS WOULD HAPPEN. THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER IS THAT I DID NOT KNOW--I ANTICIPATED. I KNEW THAT IN CASE I WAS EVER FOUND DEAD, YOU WOULD SEARCH MY HOUSE FOR ANY CLUES, SO I'VE TRIED TO LEAVE A TRAIL FOR YOU TO FOLLOW. THE CODE NAME OF THIS FILE IS LEAN BEAST. IN CASE YOU HAVEN'T FIGURED IT OUT YET, LEAN BEAST IS L B, AND L B IS LUTHER BRODERICK. TO TELL YOU TRUTHFULLY, DAMIEN, I REALLY HAVE NO IDEA WHATSOEVER HOW TO CATCH HIM OR EVEN TRICK HIM. JUST AS JONES SAID EARLIER, HE'S A HARD ONE TO GET. SO DON'T EXPECT TO FIND ANYTHING OF ANY GREAT IMPORTANCE HERE. ALL THAT THIS IS FOR IS TO TELL YOU WHERE YOU SHOULD START. YOU YOURSELF PROBABLY KNOW, THOUGH I DON'T--DIDN'T--KNOW THE WHEREABOUTS OF SCORPIO'S HEADQUARTERS. WHEREVER IT IS, LUTHER IS ALSO BOUND TO BE. BUT BEWARE. MANY TIMES WE'VE THOUGHT WE WERE ON THE RIGHT TRACK, ONLY TO BUST INTO SOME BIG EMPTY BUILDING. BUT AT LEAST YOU'LL HAVE THE ADVANTAGE. I'M TELLING YOU TO TAKE CARE. I'VE BEEN AFTER BRODERICK EVER SINCE WE FIRST HEARD OF HIM, AND WHAT I'VE SEEN HIM DO IS NOT PRETTY. YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN SO I WON'T GO INTO DETAIL. JUST WATCH OUT BEHIND YOU ALL THE TIME. SCORPIO IS HARD TO FIND BUT THEY'LL ALWAYS BE THERE, AND IF YOU LOOK CAREFULLY I'LL BET OFFICER JONES'S PATROL CAR YOU'LL FIND WHAT YOU'RE SEARCHING FOR. AND DAMIEN, SCORPIO ALSO HAS THEIR ACHILLES' HEEL. I'VE SEEN IT FOR MYSELF AND NOW KNOW IT TO BE TRUE. I CANNOT WASTE ANY MORE OF YOUR TIME, AND I CAN'T TELL YOU WHAT IT IS OUTRIGHT FOR FEAR THEY'LL FIND IT, BUT JUST KNOW THIS: SCORPIO HATES 71% OF THIS WORLD. PUSH ENTER
Anonymous letter left in D Is For Damien, "Chapter 15: Odd Happenings": Dear Damien: I've left this note for you and only you to find. I wish to tell you not to lose hope. Scorpio is not undefeatable, nor is Luther. Everyone has their weakness, and I just happen to know his. I cannot tell you too much for fear of what they will do to me; you see, Luther and I are much closer than you will ever know. You've known him for a long time as well; think back; what was the one thing that happened to him that frightened him most of all? Think carefully, and remember this: Though Scorpio rules the water, that does not mean that those born under her must needs take advantage of that. I'll be praying for you, A friend
Old news article from the Cheboygan Tribune(?), 1899, in D Is For Damien, "Chapter 20: A Search For The Truth": MINERS ABANDONING CHEBOYGAN COPPER PROJECT CHEBOYGAN, MI--Workers in the Cheboygan "copper mine" are finally abandoning their project as little copper has actually been found so far. Miners state their disappointments to this paper, saying that all their hopes of finding the "mother lode" were unfounded at best and unprofitable at worst. The Cheboygan copper mining project began several years ago when a substantial ore deposit was found near the shores of Lake Huron in Cheboygan County. Workers undertook a massive mining operation in search of more copper, only to find, at the present, that it was only a false alarm. "We were hoping to find a lot of copper," one miner says, "and all we found was hardship. We dug out all those mines for nothing." Funding for the project has now been cut, and so far there are no plans to fill in the mines. They are instead being closed down until further notice, and warning signs are being placed at all open entrances.
News article from June 4, 1998, in The Ties That Bind: POP STAR IN CAR ACCIDENT; BADLY INJURED JUNE 3: Around midnight this morning singer Damien, lead musician of the pop-rock band Radioactive, was involved in an automobile collision with a tree in Cheboygan County, Michigan. Police say that it looks as if Damien's car was traveling at a high rate of speed when it hit the tree, but was unable to stop, as skidmarks line the road not far from the crash. The automobile struck the tree head on, smashing in the front end of the car. Damien was rushed to the hospital and declared dead, yet doctors managed to revive him. Investigators are not ruling out an accident, yet say that the crash may have been a deliberate act planned by an unknown party. Chips of paint from an unidentified vehicle were found on the back left corner of Damien's vehicle, along with a dent which indicated he may have been run off the road. An explosive device was also discovered under the hood of the car after it exploded. A section of the vehicle with the flecks of paint and parts of the explosive device were taken in for further investigation. So far there are no suspects in the crash. Damien remains hospitalized suffering from fractured arms and ribs, multiple lacerations, and a serious concussion. He has so far not regained consciousness. Pop band Radioactive has quickly gained in popularity in recent months, and was set to release their fifth album, Still Lives, within the week. Music critics have already praised review copies of the album as "one of Radioactive's best." Release of the album has been delayed as band representatives decide what to do in Damien's absence. (This article may be edited later for an earlier date.)
News article from July 2, 1998, in The Ties That Bind: MUSICIAN RECOVERS FROM COMA JULY 2: Musician Damien of the pop-rock band Radioactive has regained consciousness after involvement in an automobile crash in June, say doctors. Damien was admitted to a northern Michigan hospital last month following a head-on collision with a tree, in what police say looked to be an attempt on the singer's life. He was suffering from multiple fractures and a major concussion which left him comatose. Doctors say his heart did in fact stop beating for a short period of time on admittance, but started again not long after. He has been in a coma since then, approximately a month. So far the extent of possible brain damage is uncertain. "It's a little early to tell," says Joseph Wolfe, M. D., the attending physician. "There might be some issues with short-term memory, eye focus, and balance and coordination, but for the most part he seems to be doing quite well considering the seriousness of the crash." Family members say that Damien is awake and talking, and conscious of his surroundings. He has little memory of the car crash itself, which doctors say is expected with this type of head injury. Radioactive's fifth album, Still Lives, was due to be released when Damien was involved in the car crash. Although its release was delayed, Still Lives made it to store shelves where it almost immediately sold out in many locations. "Some people complained about it being sold and played on the radio while Damien was in the hospital," says Bryan Renfro, clerk in the music department at a northern Michigan mall, "but it's sold pretty well, and I haven't heard anything bad about the songs yet." If Damien's condition continues to improve, doctors say he may be released from the hospital within the next few days. An investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing. (This article may be edited later for an earlier date.)
News article from April 1983, Minot, ND: POLICEMAN FOUND DEAD AFTER SUICIDE Police sergeant Mark H. Kincaid was found dead in the upstairs bedroom of his Minot home following what was an apparent suicide, investigators say. Kincaid's body was discovered after neighbors reported hearing a gunshot late at night. He was found lying half on, half off of his bed, dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. Fellow officers say that Kincaid had shown signs of stress lately, but they had had no reason to suspect he was suicidal. "This comes as a blow to all of us," says Minot chief of police Don Bowen. "Mark served with us for years, and I'm not certain how we'll all deal with this. We've lost a good one today." Arrangements are being made for Sergeant Kincaid to be interred in the Minot Community Cemetery. Police ask that anyone wishing to attend the funeral service call in advance. Sergeant Kincaid is survived by a son, Alan Kincaid, 19.
News article from the Cheboygan Tribune, July 1989, in Sidekicks, "Chapter 5": CHEBOYGAN POLICEMAN SLAIN DEATH BLAMED ON LOCAL CULT CHEBOYGAN, MI--Police Detective Sergeant Edward Danser was killed in the line of duty this July 20, 1989. Investigators say he was shot while attempting to apprehend a suspect in the abduction of a young woman named Elise Danbrook. The suspect, one Derrick Grant, is said to be involved in a satanic cult known as "Scorpio," which has tentatively been linked to several other crimes committed in the Northern Michigan area. Both Danbrook and Grant, as well as the shooter, have disappeared and their whereabouts are unknown. Police are cautioning anyone who may encounter the cultists, saying that they may be armed and dangerous. Danser's partner, Officer Christopher Felman, who was also present at the time, was hospitalized due to shock. So far attempts to obtain information from him have been unsuccessful, as doctors are refusing to let him be questioned, explaining that his mental state may be too fragile to attempt an interrogation at this time. Sgt. Danser was a veteran of the Michigan State Police force, working out of the Cheboygan post. His funeral is scheduled for next week, July 31. He will be interred with full honors. Sgt. Danser is survived by his wife, Lynette, and daughter, Justina. More to come END |
D IS FOR DAMIEN INFORMATION
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