I grew up with an appeal for the paranormal; magic, spirits, abnormal animals, strange occurrences that had no explanations.\u00c2\u00a0 My grandmother was from the old country, northern Germany to be exact, and she would always talk about the spirits.\u00c2\u00a0 She always said that she was attuned to the spirit world, never thinking of it as a burden but more of a gift.\u00c2\u00a0 She would go on and on about the spirits of a house or the spirits of the dead.\u00c2\u00a0 I remember many times seeing her in the morning leaving a crust of bread on the hearth as an offering.\u00c2\u00a0 My mother never paid much attention to her stories about spirits because she had heard them all her life.\u00c2\u00a0 My mother would go about her day, and never let my grandmother\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s beliefs or rituals bother her at all, but my father thought it was complete rubbish.\u00c2\u00a0 Whenever she began to talk about the paranormal he would politely remove himself from the room and usually find some chore for me to begin at that moment.\u00c2\u00a0 I can remember late night hushed arguments between my mother and father about how he thought my grandmother\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s stories were affecting his young boy.<\/p>\n
\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 I never minded the stories.\u00c2\u00a0 When I got home from school I would spend a little time with my grandmother in her room.\u00c2\u00a0 She always had a snack or piece of candy for me and we would talk.\u00c2\u00a0 Most of the times when I sat with her, we would just talk about my school or soccer team, but every so often when she was feeling more attuned to the spirit world she would tell me tales from the old world.<\/p>\n
\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Tales of women who became banshees, driven to madness by lost lovers.\u00c2\u00a0 Stories of hauntings, strange creatures, mystical events that had semi-rational explanations but none she would believe.\u00c2\u00a0 Every so often she would mention a strange man from the sea that would come to her village to see the elders.\u00c2\u00a0 He was a mysterious man, who only spoke to the village elders and always stayed for exactly one night.\u00c2\u00a0 My grandmother had an occasion to meet him on one of his visits and she said from that day forward her life changed.\u00c2\u00a0 She never told me his name but always said that he was a man of a great power, which instilled a deep fear in her.<\/p>\n
\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 As I got older I would press her for more information on the strange man, but she was never swayed to tell me anything about him.\u00c2\u00a0 Sometimes I thought she was close to telling me, but then she would shudder and stare off into the distance as if a cold distant power gripped her and muted her voice.<\/p>\n
\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 My grandmother lived to be a vibrant old woman until the last year of her life.\u00c2\u00a0 She would ask me to spend more and more time with her toward the end.\u00c2\u00a0 I always thought it just comforted her to have me around and I felt I was doing my duty as a grandson.\u00c2\u00a0 We would talk and I would do my best to cheer her up.\u00c2\u00a0 She still lived with us, and each day after school I would come home and tell her about my day.\u00c2\u00a0 I would make her a cup of tea and she would smile at me as I told her about the girl I had a crush on, or how my classes were going.\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 She refused to see a doctor to diagnose what was making her ill.\u00c2\u00a0 She would argue with my mother about it all the time.\u00c2\u00a0 My mother was always furious with her for not going to the doctor, but my grandmother would always say in her most endearing way, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I have lived a full life and now my time is nearing an end.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d\u00c2\u00a0 This would always make my mother start to cry, but she would acquiesce to my grandmother.\u00c2\u00a0 My father, who was much more stubborn, would attempt to talk her into going to see our family care doctor.\u00c2\u00a0 He would use a myriad of arguments to try to convince her to go, but none of them worked.\u00c2\u00a0 I once overheard my father and mother arguing about forcibly moving my grandmother to an assisted living facility.\u00c2\u00a0 Thankfully they both realized that if she didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t have much time to live it was better that she was with her family then in a strange room with unfamiliar people prodding her all day.<\/p>\n
\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Once this whole argument was settled, my grandmother seemed to open up to me a little more.\u00c2\u00a0 She would tell me more about her childhood, and her village.\u00c2\u00a0 She said that she wanted to pass on her experiences so that I would be prepared.\u00c2\u00a0 I just assumed she meant prepared for being a grownup and left it at that.<\/p>\n
\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Months went by as I saw the illness take a stronger hold of my grandmother.\u00c2\u00a0 She was very frail by this time and rarely got out of bed.\u00c2\u00a0 Her body may have been fading, but the spark in her eyes and mind never dimmed.\u00c2\u00a0 I would still come home from school and bring her a cup of tea.\u00c2\u00a0 We would spend a couple of hours together and then I would eat dinner, followed by homework.\u00c2\u00a0 Sometimes at night if I couldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t sleep, I would go and spend more time with her.\u00c2\u00a0 You may think this sounds strange for a young boy to spend so much time with his grandmother, but she was so fascinating.\u00c2\u00a0 Even when she was too tired to talk, she would still hold a grip on me.\u00c2\u00a0 I would stay by her side not wanting to leave, afraid to miss anything if she felt the strength to share it.<\/p>\n
\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 My father wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t fond of me spending so much time with my grandmother.\u00c2\u00a0 He thought I should be outside enjoying the fresh air and being a young man, but he never overtly said anything.\u00c2\u00a0 My mother just thought it was the sweetest thing I ever did.\u00c2\u00a0 She didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t spend much time with my grandmother, but I think that had to do with the stark reality of what was happening.<\/p>\n
\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 One evening I had finished my homework and decided to spend some more time with my grandmother.\u00c2\u00a0 As I went into her room I could feel that something was different.\u00c2\u00a0 I tried to get her to talk to me, but she was reluctant.\u00c2\u00a0 So I sat next to her in a chair by her bed, and we watched television together.\u00c2\u00a0 I startled awake and realized that I must have drifted off to sleep while watching television.\u00c2\u00a0 My grandmother was awake sitting up in her bed.\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Nana?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d\u00c2\u00a0 I always called her Nana.\u00c2\u00a0 It sounded old country to me and I think she liked it.\u00c2\u00a0 When I first looked at her I thought she might have passed away.\u00c2\u00a0 She was staring straight at the television, but the programming had ended and all that was on was the late night static.\u00c2\u00a0 When she heard my voice she seemed to break away from what was holding her attention.<\/p>\n
\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m sorry dear, did I wake you?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d she said in a feeble voice, like the voice you use when you are completely out of breath from running as fast as you can.<\/p>\n
\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153No.\u00c2\u00a0 Are you ok?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Yes, dear.\u00c2\u00a0 I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m alright,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d she said still fighting for her breath.<\/p>\n
\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153You sound like you have been running a mile.\u00c2\u00a0 Are you sure you’re feeling ok?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I think I need to tell you some more things, some things about me, your grandfather, your mother, and even you,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d she said.<\/p>\n
\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153More stories about your village?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d I said eagerly.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Yes, but not now.\u00c2\u00a0 I think I have had too much right now, and it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s late.\u00c2\u00a0 When you come see me tomorrow after school we will talk.\u00c2\u00a0 Now be a good grandson and go to bed.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 I could tell something was wrong, I didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t know what but something was just not right.\u00c2\u00a0 I never claimed to have any paranormal abilities, just an appeal for the fantastic, but I swear on anything holy that something had changed with my grandmother.\u00c2\u00a0 I could hear it in her voice and see it in her body, so I reluctantly agreed to see her tomorrow.<\/p>\n
\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 I peeked in to see my grandmother the next morning before I left for school, but she was asleep, or at least acting like it.\u00c2\u00a0 That whole day I was curious about what she wanted to tell me.\u00c2\u00a0 I have heard so many of her stories about the old country that I just couldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t think of anything else she could tell me.\u00c2\u00a0 It seemed as if school took forever that day, but when it finally ended I rushed home to see my grandmother.\u00c2\u00a0 I went immediately to her room and sat down anxious to hear the stories that she promised to tell me, but she made me first get her a cup of tea before she would begin.<\/p>\n
\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 By this time I was extremely impatient, but I knew she wouldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t talk to me until she was ready.\u00c2\u00a0 She finished her tea in a relaxed manner and when she handed me the empty cup she could see that I was about to wiggle out of my shirt in anticipation.\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 She took a deep breath and began to tell me more stories about her village.\u00c2\u00a0 I was a little disappointed because most of the stories were ones that I had heard before, but I couldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t hurt my grandmother\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s feelings by telling her this.\u00c2\u00a0 I just sat back in the chair and relaxed listening to her, realizing that she may not be able to tell them to me again.<\/p>\n
\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 After a while I began to drift off and think about other things.\u00c2\u00a0 I know it sounds bad, but it’s hard for a child to keep his attention focused on something that you have heard a few times already.\u00c2\u00a0 But then her manner changed.\u00c2\u00a0 She became very serious.<\/p>\n
\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Danny, you have to listen to me.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I am Nana,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d I said.<\/p>\n
\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Really listen to me, because I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t think I can tell you this again.\u00c2\u00a0 This is not a nice story.\u00c2\u00a0 There are some things that may scare you, but you need to know this.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 I nodded not wanting to break her train of thought.<\/p>\n
\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I told you before about the strange man from the sea that would visit my village.\u00c2\u00a0 He had some type of sway over me that I never understood.\u00c2\u00a0 I was fascinated by him.\u00c2\u00a0 I had seen him a few times before.\u00c2\u00a0 I knew he was not a good person, but there was something there that attracted me and fascinated me.\u00c2\u00a0 When I was seventeen he came during the spring celebration of the equinox that my village celebrated as the beginning of the planting season.\u00c2\u00a0 I was already betrothed to your grandfather by this time.\u00c2\u00a0 The man came late on the first night of the celebration.\u00c2\u00a0 I saw him enter the elder\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s hall, or I suppose it would be better to say the council hall, maybe you would understand that better.\u00c2\u00a0 I was supposed to be on my way home, but the night felt magical and I couldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t go home yet.<\/p>\n
\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153When I saw the strange man enter the hall, I decided that I had to find out what was going on inside.\u00c2\u00a0 I crept as quietly as I could and climbed on a small wall to peer through a window on the side of the building,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d she said quietly as if someone would hear her now.\u00c2\u00a0 I leaned in toward my grandmother to make sure I heard her.<\/p>\n
\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I slipped on the wall making a clattering noise as I knocked over a small bucket.\u00c2\u00a0 The fog that was creeping over the village was making everything damp and slippery.\u00c2\u00a0 My heart was racing, but I was compelled to see inside.\u00c2\u00a0 I slowly edged my way to the window and peeked in.\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153What I saw still terrifies me to this day.\u00c2\u00a0 The council men were all kneeling in a circle around the strange man from the sea.\u00c2\u00a0 In the middle of the men was a small table with a small child strapped down on top.\u00c2\u00a0 I could see the child crying and trying to break free, but it was no use.\u00c2\u00a0 The bonds were too tight.\u00c2\u00a0 I didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t know who the child could be.\u00c2\u00a0 No one in the village had had a baby recently, and the room was lit by candles which made many of the details indistinct.\u00c2\u00a0 It seemed as if the men were praying while the strange man was leading a sermon.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 My grandmother stopped and took a deep breath.\u00c2\u00a0 I wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t sure she was going to continue because a sad look took over her face.\u00c2\u00a0 She seemed heartbroken.\u00c2\u00a0 After a few more minutes she continued on.<\/p>\n
\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t sure if I should do something or not.\u00c2\u00a0 I was so afraid for the baby.\u00c2\u00a0 I looked around to see if anyone was near so that I may recruit their help, but I saw no one.\u00c2\u00a0 When I turned back to see what was going on inside the hall, I saw the strange man reach into the folds of his cloak and pull out a dagger.\u00c2\u00a0 I screamed, and started to run away, but I was stuck.\u00c2\u00a0 I couldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t move.\u00c2\u00a0 It was as if someone was holding me to that spot with a giant\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s strength.\u00c2\u00a0 I looked back in the hall to see if my scream was noticed and the face of the strange man was looking directly into my eyes.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d\u00c2\u00a0 My grandmother shuddered and pulled the blankets tighter around her body, as if they could protect her.<\/p>\n
\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 She continued on, but her voice was quieter.\u00c2\u00a0 I had to lean forward farther to hear all of her words.<\/p>\n
\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153The man\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s eyes were cold and pitch black like the night.\u00c2\u00a0 I screamed again and I felt my body release from whatever was holding it.\u00c2\u00a0 I jumped off of the ledge that I was standing on and ran straight home.\u00c2\u00a0 I burst into the house and went directly to my room.\u00c2\u00a0 I was very scared.\u00c2\u00a0 The man was evil.\u00c2\u00a0 I could feel it.\u00c2\u00a0 I didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t understand it at the time, but I have come to understand what he was.<\/p>\n
\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153That night I huddled in my bed afraid of every noise.\u00c2\u00a0 I never thought I would fall asleep, I thought I may never sleep again.\u00c2\u00a0 I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m not sure when, but I must have lost the battle to stay awake.\u00c2\u00a0 I was startled awake by the noise of my door shutting.\u00c2\u00a0 I called out to my mother, but no one answered.\u00c2\u00a0 Out of the corner the strange man walked into the moonlight streaming into my window.<\/p>\n
\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I tried to scream, but it was choked off in my throat.\u00c2\u00a0 He began to walk toward me.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 “Did you enjoy what you saw tonight?”<\/em> he said to me in a deep scratchy voice that sounded like a bucket being drug through gravel.<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t sure I could respond.\u00c2\u00a0 I was too scared.\u00c2\u00a0 But he asked again and took a step closer.\u00c2\u00a0 I just wanted him to leave so I said \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcno sir\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 in a small voice.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 “Your impertinence will cost you dearly,”<\/em> he said as he came even closer.\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t know what to do or what was going to happen.\u00c2\u00a0 I began to huddle up closer to the wall and brought my blankets up to provide what little protection they could provide.<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153He stepped to the edge of my bed and ripped the covers away from me.\u00c2\u00a0 I was in my nightshirt and could feel a sense of coldness being radiated from him.\u00c2\u00a0 The hairs on my arms stood on end like gooseflesh.<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153He began to crawl onto the bed closer to me and I was paralyzed.\u00c2\u00a0 His eyes were pure evil and I knew he was going to hurt me.\u00c2\u00a0 His face became something that wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t really human, more evil.\u00c2\u00a0 I tried to kick at him with my legs, but he just grabbed them and pulled me underneath him.\u00c2\u00a0 I was struck with a terror that I have never before dreamed was possible.\u00c2\u00a0 I almost gave in and hoped I could will my life to end so as not to give him any satisfaction.\u00c2\u00a0 He was evil.\u00c2\u00a0 It radiated from him.<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153He bent down over me and came close to my ear.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcYou will die, but not before I make you suffer and have my desires filled,<\/em>\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 he whispered in a hoarse growl.\u00c2\u00a0 I can remember his breath smelling of rot and sulphur.\u00c2\u00a0 He ripped my nightgown at the neck and pinned my arms down more firmly.\u00c2\u00a0 He reached up and opened his shirt.\u00c2\u00a0 His chest was a dark red and some kind of symbol was burned into his flesh.\u00c2\u00a0 Like a horse brand, but much larger.\u00c2\u00a0 The symbol pulsed and grew brighter with each breath.\u00c2\u00a0 He reared his head back and spoke some words in a language that I didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t understand, and when he was finished the dark lines of the symbol on his chest pulsed and grew brighter.\u00c2\u00a0 A deep red light permeated from him and enveloped me and made me writhe in agony, but it kept me from being able to move.\u00c2\u00a0 I was sure my life was over at that moment.\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 “He grabbed my throat and smiled a wicked smile.\u00c2\u00a0 ‘This second sacrifice I give you tonight,’<\/em> he said as if he was speaking to someone else.\u00c2\u00a0 Then he leaned in to me and whispered something in my ear that sounded of another language, almost a prayer.\u00c2\u00a0 The symbol on his chest was pulsating and radiating an evil that I can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t begin to explain.\u00c2\u00a0 I was still paralyzed with fear.\u00c2\u00a0 I couldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t move a finger.\u00c2\u00a0 All I could think about was your grandfather.<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153My bedroom door burst open with a force that jarred me back to reality, and in came the Baron.\u00c2\u00a0 He seemed to have a glow about him, and he was speaking in the same sort of language that the evil man was only a few minutes before and gesturing at the man.\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I looked at the demonic man and saw that he was smiling at me.\u00c2\u00a0 He bent down close to me and whispered in his deep guttural growl that I was still not safe and he would return to exact his vengeance on my trespasses.\u00c2\u00a0 The Baron was now yelling in the strange language and I saw that although the evil man was smiling the symbol that was once a deep, bright red was fading and turning black.\u00c2\u00a0 The evil man clutched at his chest and jumped toward the Baron.\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153The Baron was prepared and thrust out in front of him a finely wrought golden symbol on a chain hanging from his neck.\u00c2\u00a0 The evil man seemed to hit a wall in front of the Baron, and he fell to the floor.\u00c2\u00a0 He quickly got back to his feet and before the Baron could block the exit, he made his way out of my bedroom.\u00c2\u00a0 The Baron gave chase, and I could hear him yelling to my stunned father to help me.\u00c2\u00a0 When I saw my father enter my bedroom I was overwhelmed and I fainted.<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 ******<\/p>\n \u00e2\u20ac\u0153When I came to my mother was pressing a cold cloth to my head and my father and the Baron were in the doorway having a heated discussion.\u00c2\u00a0 I must have fainted again because the next thing I remember was waking up the next morning.\u00c2\u00a0 I laid in bed not wanting to open my eyes and see that what had happened last night was real and not a horrible nightmare.\u00c2\u00a0 I slowly rolled onto my side and opened my eyes.\u00c2\u00a0 The Baron was seated in a chair by the door and next to him was my packed suitcase.\u00c2\u00a0 I propped myself up on my elbow and could only stare at him.\u00c2\u00a0 The man that saved my life was more handsome then I remembered.\u00c2\u00a0 He radiated gentleness and a purity that I see in you Danny.\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153The Baron Neusillich von Turek introduced himself and made me feel at ease.\u00c2\u00a0 He told me that he had discussed the situation with my parents and they agreed that I should go and live with him and that my things were already packed for me.\u00c2\u00a0 I was supposed to marry your grandfather that summer and I voiced my concern to him, but he told me that I needed to go with him for my own safety.\u00c2\u00a0 He stated that the man from last night would continue to come after me, and that he was best suited to protect me.\u00c2\u00a0 After this he left me to get dressed and finish getting my things together.<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153When I was finished I looked around my room one last time.\u00c2\u00a0 I didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t know it then but I would never see it again.\u00c2\u00a0 I told myself that I would only be with the Baron for a short period, and then I would be reunited with my parents and my love, your grandfather.\u00c2\u00a0 It was still difficult to leave and deep down I had a feeling that I would never return.<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I went downstairs and said my goodbyes to my mother and father.\u00c2\u00a0 It was hard to say goodbye.\u00c2\u00a0 Neither of my parents seemed to understand what was going on, and I have to admit neither did I.\u00c2\u00a0 I was still in shock over the night\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s events.\u00c2\u00a0 My mother was crying, but my father was being his stoic stubborn self.\u00c2\u00a0 I gave my mother a hug, and she reassured me that everything would be alright through her tears.\u00c2\u00a0 My father did not make a move; instead he just stood there with his arms folded across his chest.\u00c2\u00a0 I finally went to him and gave him a hug, which he melted into.\u00c2\u00a0 I think he knew that he would never see me again and it was breaking his heart.<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I went outside to find the Baron had already placed my suitcase on a horse and was waiting to help me mount my horse.\u00c2\u00a0 I was very sad to leave my childhood home.\u00c2\u00a0 I knew I would have to leave it soon when I married your grandfather, but I did not expect it to be like this.\u00c2\u00a0 Finally the Baron said we had to leave and we began our journey to his manor.\u00c2\u00a0 It was a quiet trip.\u00c2\u00a0 The Baron seemed deep in thought and I had a lot of things on my mind to keep me occupied.<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153After riding for about half an hour we reached the outskirts of the Baron\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s manor.\u00c2\u00a0 It was absolutely beautiful.\u00c2\u00a0 I never imagined I would live in any such place.\u00c2\u00a0 The trees and flowers were breathtaking.\u00c2\u00a0 The Baron\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s family had lived here for as long as anyone could remember, but the manor did not have a look of age.\u00c2\u00a0 It was marvelous.\u00c2\u00a0 All of the windows sparkled with the sun, and there was a pleasant and comforting air about the place.\u00c2\u00a0 I immediately felt at ease and protected.\u00c2\u00a0 Whatever happened the night before now felt like a bad dream.<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153When we approached the front of the manor two servants came out to greet us.\u00c2\u00a0 The Baron made introductions to me and instructed the servants that I would be staying and to take great care of me, then he hurried inside leaving me with the servants.<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153One of the servants was a young man who attended to the horses and the other, whose name was Frederick, was a man who had a stately demeanor, like someone who had been in charge of many things in his life.\u00c2\u00a0 He led me inside and saw that I was comfortable in my new room.\u00c2\u00a0 He told me that someone would come shortly with some breakfast, and left to attend to other matters in the manor.<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I began to get settled in my new room.\u00c2\u00a0 The room was amazing.\u00c2\u00a0 The walls were brightly painted and there were pictures of animals and hunting scenes hung here and there.\u00c2\u00a0 The windows were large and looked out over the lovely grounds.\u00c2\u00a0 I was beginning to forget all about the night before.<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Another servant came into my room and brought with her a tray with assorted fruits and breads.\u00c2\u00a0 I pulled a chair over to the window and sat staring at the lawn below with the tray on my lap.\u00c2\u00a0 It was a good morning so far.\u00c2\u00a0 I didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t want to think about the night before and with all of the new and beautiful things to look at in the manor, I kept myself preoccupied.<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I ate my simple breakfast slowly.\u00c2\u00a0 I daydreamed about being the lady of the manor with your grandfather as the Baron.\u00c2\u00a0 The morning passed and I stayed there looking out the window not wanting to break the moment.\u00c2\u00a0 Movement outside caught my eye.\u00c2\u00a0 I saw two people on the edge of the forest surrounding the manor.\u00c2\u00a0 I recognized one of the men to be Frederick, but I could not make out the features of the other man.\u00c2\u00a0 A gust of wind blew and the branches of the trees swayed, and the face of the other man came into view.\u00c2\u00a0 I was brought back to reality in a shot.\u00c2\u00a0 The night before was again vivid in my mind and the face of the man on the edge of the forest was none other than the man that attacked me last night.<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I was so afraid.\u00c2\u00a0 I thought that I was brought here to be protected.\u00c2\u00a0 There was a knock on my bedroom door, and I was so startled that I kicked the tray from my lap.\u00c2\u00a0 It crashed to the floor with a loud clatter.\u00c2\u00a0 The Baron came into my room carrying a book under his arm, and I did not know if I should be afraid for my life or if he would protect me again.\u00c2\u00a0 He asked me what was wrong, and if everything was alright.\u00c2\u00a0 I glanced back outside, and saw that Frederick and the evil man were gone from the edge of the forest.<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I was not sure how to answer the Baron, but before I could answer the Baron asked me to tell him my story from last night.\u00c2\u00a0 I told him everything I could remember while he sat patiently listening.\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n \u00e2\u20ac\u0153After I was finished he told me in a very paternal voice, \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcThis is a very delicate matter.\u00c2\u00a0 The man you saw last night was part of something greater that I have been battling for many years.\u00c2\u00a0 Now that this man has seen you and attacked you, you are unfortunately a part of this battle.\u00c2\u00a0 I wish for your sake that it wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t so.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 \u00c2\u00a0I could hear the anguish in his voice.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcThis isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t something I would wish upon you,\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 he continued, \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcbut nevertheless it has happened and we must come to terms with these events.\u00c2\u00a0 I can use your help if you are willing.\u00c2\u00a0 I will let you have some time to think this over and in the meantime you may rest in your room, or relax in the manor.\u00c2\u00a0 I must ask you to not go outside after dusk.\u00c2\u00a0 There are many powerful things about and I have given my word to keep you safe.\u00c2\u00a0 Now if you don’t mind I would like to do some more research while this is all still fresh in my mind.\u00c2\u00a0 I will send for you later and you can tell me if you want to help me.\u00c2\u00a0 Let Frederick know if you need anything.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 With that he left me to myself.\u00c2\u00a0 I had many questions in my head but I couldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t sort them out yet to ask them.\u00c2\u00a0 So much had happened in such a short time.\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 ******<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Later that afternoon a servant came to my room to tell me that the Baron wished to see me in his study.\u00c2\u00a0 I was happy to finally get out of that room.\u00c2\u00a0 I was beginning to feel trapped and afraid from everything that happened the night before and seeing Frederick with the evil man this morning.<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153The Baron\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s study was marvelous.\u00c2\u00a0 There were books stacked from floor to ceiling and everywhere in between.\u00c2\u00a0 He was seated at his desk, which was piled with more books, a small lamp, and some half eaten food.\u00c2\u00a0 He ushered me into a seat near him and began to tell me about the evil man.<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153The man was part of an ennead that the Baron had been fighting secretly for years.\u00c2\u00a0 The ennead, which is a group of nine men, was trying to consolidate their power in the region and bring about a new reign for themselves and their master.\u00c2\u00a0 The man that attacked me was one of three that the Baron had not yet been able to stop or capture.\u00c2\u00a0 These last three were the strongest of the group and wield great power.\u00c2\u00a0 They are demons and can incarnate people for their needs.\u00c2\u00a0 They also hold great sway over people who cannot or do not want to fight them.\u00c2\u00a0 The six that he had already captured were of a lesser kind, and not as powerful.\u00c2\u00a0 The Baron has, as yet, not been able to discover the person or thing in charge of the ennead.\u00c2\u00a0 He knew there was a mastermind behind the group, but he could not determine who or what it was.<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153The Baron went on to explain to me the supernatural aspects of what he was doing.\u00c2\u00a0 He explained that these demons killed his wife and unborn child and that was the reason he began this quest to kill these men and prevent them from taking over the region.\u00c2\u00a0 These demons have been influencing men and events in this region for decades.\u00c2\u00a0 Many times it was just a subtle influence, a sort of nudge in the wrong direction so to speak.\u00c2\u00a0 These demons would persuade the elders to enact laws that would help them, or convince a farmer to give over his goods or life for the better of the ennead.\u00c2\u00a0 I say subtle influences but some of these persuasions were not in the least subtle.\u00c2\u00a0 Many times the Baron would come upon the scene of these activities to late too stop them.\u00c2\u00a0 There were brutal tortures, rapes, and murders of livestock and humans alike.\u00c2\u00a0 All of these activities were framed in an occult like setting with mystical drawings and languages.\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153The Baron was very intrigued by my description of the evil man that attacked me the night before.\u00c2\u00a0 He told me that the man or demon\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s name was Eamon.\u00c2\u00a0 He was a demon from the third hierarchy, but he did not know who he served.\u00c2\u00a0 He had been researching the design that I described to him that was on the man\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s chest.<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153The Baron asked me if I would help him in his cause.\u00c2\u00a0 I didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t know what to say.\u00c2\u00a0 I was to be married to your grandfather that summer.\u00c2\u00a0 He sensed my hesitation and he told me that I would not live that long if I left his protection.\u00c2\u00a0 These men are evil and do not let people get away from them.\u00c2\u00a0 They cannot afford to let a person that knows about them roam free.\u00c2\u00a0 No one encountering them has lived if it was not in the demon\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s best interest.\u00c2\u00a0 If that person was of no use or if they were a threat to the demons then they were killed.\u00c2\u00a0 The Baron said they have been after him for decades, but he has built a system of protection around himself that has kept him alive this long.\u00c2\u00a0 None of them are able to get inside the manor and harm anyone here.\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153The Baron then gave me a beautiful necklace with a finely wrought golden charm, and told me that this should help protect me from the evil intrusions that may plague my mind now that I have been attacked.\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Mind you Danny, this was all coming so fast.\u00c2\u00a0 I was still afraid and confused by the fact that I had seen the evil man on the edge of the forest with Frederick.\u00c2\u00a0 If everything here was under a protection how was this man able to get so close.\u00c2\u00a0 I told the Baron about what I had seen and he was very disturbed by what I told him.\u00c2\u00a0 He sat quietly for a while and then abruptly stood and began to leave the study.\u00c2\u00a0 He turned back swiftly grabbing a sword near his desk and a book from a stack on his desk before hastening out the door telling me to wait here and that I was under no circumstance to leave this room.<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I did my best to be patient and wait, but it began to get unbearable.\u00c2\u00a0 I Flooked at the many books that the Baron had and was in awe.\u00c2\u00a0 Time had gone by and I was thinking of leaving when the Baron came back into his study.\u00c2\u00a0 His clothes were disheveled and he was winded.\u00c2\u00a0 He sat in his chair and seemed to be in another place, almost as if he did not remember that I would still be there.<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I asked the Baron if he was alright and that jarred him from his thoughts.\u00c2\u00a0 He told me that everything was going to change.\u00c2\u00a0 He found Frederick and confronted him.\u00c2\u00a0 During the confrontation Frederick attacked him and he was forced to kill his servant.\u00c2\u00a0 Frederick had been with the von Turek family for ages, serving the family for three generations.\u00c2\u00a0 This betrayal was heartbreaking to the Baron.\u00c2\u00a0 This betrayal meant that the malevolent group was getting too close to him and his protections.\u00c2\u00a0 Things were beginning to unravel.\u00c2\u00a0 He told me that I would not be able to stay here with him any longer.\u00c2\u00a0 He would send me to the United States and in a few months he would send your grandfather so that we may still begin our life together as we planned.\u00c2\u00a0 He had many associates in the United States and these people would assist me when I arrived.<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I did not want to leave my homeland, but I did not have a choice.\u00c2\u00a0 Your grandfather followed later and we began our life here.\u00c2\u00a0 Since then I have lived my life here with you and your family, Danny, and have not been bothered.\u00c2\u00a0 The horrible feelings associated with that evil man grew less and less as time went by.\u00c2\u00a0 I have felt safe for a long time.\u00c2\u00a0 Until recently.\u00c2\u00a0 I saw that man again.\u00c2\u00a0 He is here and he will come after me again,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d my grandmother said as she finished her story.<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Danny you have to be prepared,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d she said.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153He will come after you also.\u00c2\u00a0 Your mother and father do not believe and although he may use them he will not be able to do much harm.\u00c2\u00a0 Years ago I helped protect them from harm.\u00c2\u00a0 But you, you have a presence about you that will attract Eamon.\u00c2\u00a0 We share a certain bond.\u00c2\u00a0 He feels the connection between you and me and will seek you once I am gone.\u00c2\u00a0 Be prepared.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
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