Number: 79 Title: Church of the Dead Type: Original Fiction Teaser: ---------- She slammed her hand on the desk for emphasis. "He might be our only hope!" "You would release a demon to free the world from murderers?" The priest stopped his pacing and turned to face her. "I would rather fight one demon than a thousand murderers. Remember, it was he who became disgusted when he found that he gained followers." "I'll bet that irony escaped him. The one who could not believe finding someone who believed in him. Everything is so black and white to his kind." ---------- Narrator: From Insanity Productions.... ---------- His voice seemed to float from the darkness, thick and slow and full of old pains. "What time is it?" Hesitantly, she answered, "It's nine p.m." "I take it I'm not dead." He stated conversationally. "You don't appear to be." "Damn." ---------- Narrator: And the author of Chronicles of War... ---------- "I thought you could stop them!" She pleaded. "You mean kill them." He said over his shoulder. Brokenly, she answered. "Yes.... Kill them." "Why don't you do it yourself?" That was a valid question, yet one she already had an answer for. "They're your people." "I don't have people." ---------- Narrator: Comes the tale of a man who knew only one thing well... ---------- "Dammit Jeffery!" The taller man exclaimed, punching a bony fist into a matching, withered open palm. "The world is on the brink of war and you're overturning my decision on a technicality? It's this or nothing!" ---------- "You call them vampires?" She frowned. Perhaps it was best to be blunt regarding this subject. "Yes. You hunt in the night. Our numbers shrink. Those weak of will are your servants, and your survival means our death." He simply nodded. "I see things have gotten out of hand." ---------- Narrator: But had something to teach everybody. ---------- "Can you tell me why?" "You're asking about the Big Question, right?" "Yes." "No. I cannot tell you. However, I can show you. I won't promise you'll like what you see. I'm certain you really don't want to see it, but if you wish, I can show you." ---------- "You... you killed all of them." "What the hell did you expect me to do, put them through a fucking square dance?!" ---------- "Are you here for confession, my son?" "That would take much too long, Father." ---------- "Who the fuck are you? You... you can't be him! You can't be the one!" "Yeah, it's me. When you get to Hell, please tell the Prince of Darkness that I sent you there. He'll know just how to welcome you." ---------- Church of the Dead Coming 12/25/05 (actually, scratch this, I back-burnered this thing big time)