Ophelia steered the van across thesquare, taking great care not to run over anyone. Suddenly, a grumpy lookingmiddle-aged man with wisps of hair combed over his balding scalp jumped infront of them, baring yellow teeth. It was Arthur’s old maths teacher – a verystrict and unforgiving man who’d hit Arthur with a cane.
“It’s Mister Conlon!” shrieked Arthur.“He’s come to thrash me.”
Ophelia threw the steering wheel tothe left and the van lurch dramatically. Bill and Arthur were thrown out oftheir seats. Ophelia turned the wheel and the van lurched back. They’d got pastMister Conlon without hitting him.
They passed the village shop, then theUnicorn pub – which was blazing with light and filled with raucous rock music.Looking through the etched windows Arthur saw three people he knew – JackAppleton, Barney Smith and Judy Bowers – biting the neck of an old farmer,attacking the publican and chasing a gang of young lads who looked a little tooyoung to be out drinking. The world he’d know his whole life had gone crazy.
“Let’s get back to our rooms,” saidArthur. “Try to figure out what to do.”
“Head for Middenmere,” said Bill toOphelia. She didn’t answer.
They went on little further, then at acrossroads Ophelia turned unexpectedly.
“Hey, where we going?” said Arthur.
“Isn't this the way to Middenmere?”said Bill.
Ophelia didn’t answer.
“Hey,” said Bill, “what’s wrong?”
She a few moments later she slammed onthe brakes, bringing the van to a violent halt and throwing Bill and Arthur offtheir seats. They were outside Saint Bede’s church – an ancient place with aspire silhouetted against the darkening sky. Arched iron gates led into acemetery that was filled with ivy clad tombstones. The bell was ringing in thetower; its doleful clang had drawn people from the village, seeking God’ssanctuary from paganistic evil. But those that had arrived had been lynched andwere now lying unconscious amongst the graves, or wandering about looking forpeople to bite and curse.
“What’s going on?” said Arthur.
Ophelia turned and gazed at them. Herskin was pale and threaded with tiny veins, her cheeks were sunken. Her halo offlickering light was illuminating the van in strange ways. Her gimlet eyes weredevoid of any human feeling. Bill knew she was lost to him.
“He's here,” she said and pointed abony white finger at the church.
The boys looked out the window,peering through the gloom, and could see a number of figures approaching. Asthey came closer Bill and Arthur could see one of them was Lord Percy, a talland commanding presence with strange aquiline features and large curled horns.On his left was a young girl who they didn’t recognise, but on his right wereLilith and Professor Jareth. Bill had seen them earlier, at the Manor, buttheir appearance was now utterly transformed. Lilith’s hair was lustrous andher face seemed to glow with vitality, but it was Professor Jareth that hadundergone the greatest transformation. No longer bent and walking with a stick,she looked decades younger. Her hair was thick and full mahogany brown, nolonger wispy, thin and greying.
Ophelia smiled. “I have come,” shesaid, “to my love, Lord Percy.”
“Fight it!” said Bill, but knew it washopeless. The Vita Dantis was back at the house.
She parted her lips and licked herteeth, then flung open the van door and stepped outside.
“No!” said Bill. Without thinking heopened the side door and followed. He watched join the others. Lord Percystroked her cheek.
“Leave her alone!” said Bill in anangry yet faltering voice.
“What you doing?” said Arthur. “Getback in the van.”
Bill ignored him. “She’s mygirlfriend. Leave her alone!”
Five pairs of ferocious yellow eyesturned on him. This small and skinny young lad was obviously no match forPercy. Bill felt wobbly on his legs and wanted to run away.
“What do we have here?” said LordPercy. “A foolish young boy.” He turned to Ophelia and ran his hand through herthinning hair. A clump came out and tangled round his fingers. “Look at thisdried-up straw! You are surely a most wretched and starved creature. Offerblood to dear Og and she will restore your feminine charms to all their glory.Curse this boy.”
Bill watched this with a mixture ofrevulsion and jealousy. A moment later Ophelia was by his side, muttering thecurse. She grabbed his shoulders and fixed her gaze on his throat.
The horn of the campervan sounded andOphelia was momentarily distracted. Arthur had sneaked into the driver’s seatand was pressing the horn repeatedly.
“Don’t just stand there like alemon,” he shouted out of the window. “Get in!”
Bill staggered backwards as Opheliapushed herself forward onto him, muttering the curse into his ear. Bill fellbackwards into van through the open door. The engine clattered nosily as thecampervan sped away. Bill pushed Ophelia off and she fell away onto the road.Bill pulled himself up, wondering if she'd been hurt badly, retrieved hisglasses and closed the door.
He sat down, panting for breath andshaking, and looked out of the back window. Ophelia was getting up, seeminglyunharmed. The others hadn’t moved – they were still watching him impassivelyfrom the cemetery gates. Bill’s heart sank as he contemplated what wasdefinitely the most terrible night of his life. Arthur’s entire family and thegirl he loved had been lost... probably forever.
Part Four
In whichmemories long slumbered are woke by brutal means
ChapterEighteen - Secret Revelations
The edict from the Bishop on this most intractableproblem is quite specific. Those cursed by Arddhu Og are NOT to be buried inthe churchyard. Their unholy contamination would not rest well on consecratedground. But as a temporary act of mercy, until somewhere suitable is found,each cask is to be stored in the crypt. The Bishop is most concerned – suchabominations are against God’s will and have no place in his house, but theApostles are most insistent that all casks be removed from Brimstone Manor.
– Extract from Conatus ChapelChurch Records – Secret Addendum to the Parish Register of Deaths, 1875.
Thecampervan sped out of Underwood and off down a dark country lane. Arthur wasdriving fast, swerving the van from side
