Strange Things Done

Originally published June 15th 2024

Immediately Nicolas tried coming at the beast with the pitchfork, hoping to keep some distance between him and the creature by keeping it stuck there, Igore comes in with the hammer and bashes it. With unnatural speed it yanks the pitchfork still stabbed into her bringing Nicholas closer. With its neck distending far beyond what one would assume it lunges forward and in a whirl of razor sharp bloody teeth bites the the arm of Nicholas clean off. He goes limp as blood spurts and he falls to the floor. Showing more supernatural speed the feathered woman lunges at Igore, using the terrible minervic claws his corpse is all that remains.

Rorschach peaks his head out of the stairs and see the bloody scene, not wishing to waste any time he uses his only shot and it is true and clear straight into the head of the beast. It flies off from the rest of the body, it’s remnants slumped against the feast that was once Igore.

Wist Bravado Rorschach declares the beast slain and ushers everyone out. Holly rushes over and begins investigating.

As soon as it’s picking up the served head of the she devil begins speaking in a low hiss, again in a language unknown. Percival demands the head, claiming they need to destroy it as soon as possible. She resists but he snatches it out of her hand. He has plans for the boiler fire.

Soon the rest of the group begins chopping up the remains in hopes of throwing it into the fire, but begin to realize the flesh seems to yearn to stay connected. If they don’t make sure to pull apart the extremities after they cut away it fuses back together. After some work they do manage to butcher it and begin making their way to the boiler, emptying out a box full of letters to carry the naked torso in.

Making their way into the boiler Yulia throws the parts into the fire. Once the torso goes in a chorus of screeches, all terrible, all incomprehensible. She begins to put more coal into the boiler.

She and the others in the room begin to notice something. What is a mostly dust covered room has a single spot that is clean as can be. A small circle has been brushed clean, a small amount of white powder and wax droplets sit in the middle.

Yulia realizes, though they are out of coal, but the fire isn’t strong enough yet. She is going to have to get some from the bunker.

Not wanting to spend any time alone; her, Rorschach, and Sagittarius, go towards the bunker. The first two armed with weapons looted from those that died above deck, and Sagittarius ready with an axe approach the door. It’s sealed shut. Slowly turning away at the dog a loud loud screech accompanies the opening of the door.

They all ready their weapons as it inches open.

They breathe in, readying themselves.

It’s coal.

Revelived they begin shoving the stuff into nearby buckets, bringing it back to fully light the fire.

The storm begins to clear up and the whole motley crew begins to make their way to the decks. Sunrise isn’t maybe for another two hours or so but they can roughly see the horizon. A small town just on the edge of the silent forest. Deeming it better to make it close to Piskaro with their limited experience they go full steam ahead for an hour.

Once Piskaro is in sight they hear a thumping below. Not wishing to risk anything further they all flock towards the rowboat and begin lowering themselves down. The thumping gets faster, they try to lower themselves even faster.

As they paddle away some massive amalgam of human flesh makes itself known on top of the deck. Rorschach unloads a single shot at the thing, the devil behind them pays no need has the ship sinks into the grey depths below.

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