A Visitor

We turn back time, without the help of Cher and get a better handle on who Alex is.  

We also return to the Cottage by Simms Divide and attend a very important meeting.

Only to conclude with the loss of a dear friend as we finish setting the foundations for this final story.

Transcript

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Warnings And A Clock Rewound

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The following podcast is a work of fiction. All characters are the creation of Peter Williams. Any resemblance to someone living or dead is purely coincidental. Thank you.

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How quickly chapters turn. The same way months seem to blend into each other, or years slip through our fingers. As this week we change settings and return to the cottage by Sins Divine. But before we do, we have some catching up to do that will hopefully explain a few things. However, that doesn't keep me from my duties as your host to warn you that this podcast may contain images of graphic violence, child endangerment, adult situations, and naughty, salty language. Now, let us wind the clock back. Not just an hour, but a few months. As this Tentacle Tuesday we rejoin the story. As well as some old friends with chapter 2 A Visitor.

Graveside Vow And Sacred Dawn

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Alex Kutchman knelt down in the rain before her mom's tombstone and placed a set of assorted wildflowers. Heavy tears rolled down her face. It was hard to believe that it had already been a month since she had passed. What had happened? Well, to fill in my listeners, it was very simple, heartbreak. Although fragile for how things had ended with her husband, the betrayal of Silas as both a confident and potential lover had left her with the feeling of being used and unloved. She fell asleep one night after dinner and never woke up. Alex was now an orphan, and yet. She looked at the soggy paper in her pocket, the one Arista had given her with the time and date, September 15th, 1700. That was tonight. She had no idea what to expect. The fact that he was coming back. Detective Warren Stevens, the man that had sent her back. Crossing herself and standing back up, she wipes away a few more tears. Mama, she said, pulling the chain from underneath her raincoat. I did it. I graduated. The pendant was one of a singular-colored red flame semi-imposed over the crest of a rising sun. I'm a member of the Sacred Dawn, Alex added. Deep down she knew her mom probably wouldn't approve, but Alex couldn't turn away from everything she had learned. Everything she had seen, and now she had a different reason.

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I'll find him, Mom. That wretched Silas.

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I'll make him pay. I promise. Turning her back on the tombstone and towards the waiting car, Marka was already standing outside with an umbrella and holding the rear door open. She smiled and sighed as she reached him. You're gonna catch your death that way. Yes, ma'am, he replied, as he closed the umbrella and shut the door before returning to the driver's seat. He adjusted the mirror and looked at the soaked girl and handed her a towel. Isn't tonight your meeting with Mr. Stevens, ma'am? Yes. Do you want me to take you home for a hot shower first? No, Marco. I'll try. Now who's trying to catch their death? Ah, but Marco, I have a special cheat. I'm sure you do. Now, please, take me to McCluskey's. I mean, I am 21,

Leads On Silas At McCluskey’s

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you know. Marco nodded dutifully and drove away from the cemetery towards McCluskey's. The first sound that met Alex's ears wasn't the loud music or the jute box, nor the typical crowded boots that were to the right of the bar. Nope, it was the old too familiar sound of a shot glass hitting the bar top and sliding down to greet her as she made her way towards an old familiar figure. Chief Donaldson. She smiled, and he looked up and gave her a wave and a smile. I should really bust you and Jacob for serving alcohol to a minor, he said. Uh, come on, Chief. I'll be 21 soon enough. Six weeks. Ugh. Do you want me to give it back? No, you've earned it. Graduating, losing your mom and well. Yeah, about that. And without any hesitation, he places a folder on the bar. That's everything I have on Silas. After he got mixed up with that business with Reverend Ricci, he seems to have gone underground. I'm sure that the news that both the Order and Jonah are hunting him must have surely reached him by now. Donaldson looked over at the in memory of board and the brass bell next to it. Hard to believe that's already seven years ago. Chief Henry Bell's pitcher had been added two years ago, never fully recovering from his wounds at the hands of Malus. Another reason to hunt down Silas, Chief Donaldson thought. Alex placed the folder inside her jacket and swallowed her shot, and waving off Jacob, who was already pushing down a second shot. One was one thing, two, the chief really might arrest her. Not out of spite, but just to keep her safe. You're off to see him now, aren't you? Alex nodded. Yes, this is the day and time he requested I see him. You know, I haven't been up there yet. The detective pointed in the direction of the cottage. Why not? Alex asked. Because if he wanted to see me, he sent for me. He let me know he was back two years ago. He had Jonah deliver me that trench coat. Plus, I think Jonah was also letting me know he was okay. And he introduced me to that new apprentice of his, uh, what was her name? Arista, Alex said. Yeah,

Return To The Cottage

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Arista. He replied and then added thoughtfully, I wonder how he's making out. Losing an arm, and Maggie back to being a crow and all. I wonder that too, she replies, catching the glimpse of her ride returning in the window. Well, it's time. She gave the chief a big hug. He had been like a father to her, especially after her mom died, letting her stay with him and his family. Now, now she was setting off on her own. Well, mostly. She still had Marco shadowing her. Be safe, kid, and keep in touch. I will, Chief. I will. Once again, Marco was ready with the passenger door. Thanks, Marco. Uh-huh. He said, shutting the door and slipping into the driver's seat.

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What?

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Well, apparently, you're not quite 21, Miss Kuchma. She laughed. A good man once told me, always keep me dressing. What am I gonna do with you? Drive me to Mr. Stevens, Marco. Just drive me to Mr. Stevens. It had been two years since she had last seen the cottage. That's when everything had gone bad for the sacred dawn. Now the windows were once again warm with a soft glow, and even out here she could smell the fire. Perhaps hickory? She could also hear the sound of searing meat. Taking a deep breath, she walked across a gravel walkway towards the wood door, and before she even knocked, a voice called out, Come in, Alex. The first thing she noticed was the stone fireplace wrapped on each side by two cherry-colored bookshelves. Just to the left of the fireplace, a rocker with a blanket, a small, long coffee table in the center, and to the right, another chair surrounded by an assortment of books. Disappointed not to see the detective, she began to look towards the kitchen. In spite of the now gray hair, she knew him immediately. Although he was much thinner, he almost looked grandfatherly, stirring the pot on the stove. He scooped out something that smelled wonderful into a bowl and placed it onto a tray before repeating the process. Then turning, lifting the tray, the old detective turned to her. His eyes were still bright and young, his face, although older, remained kind. And around him, she sensed something else, as if the air itself vibrated

Warren’s Timework And The Event

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in a funny way. Hello, Alex. Have a seat, he said almost matter of factly, as he carried the tray to the coffee table and offered her a bowl. I hope you like sausage and yellow squash casserole. It's one of my favorite fall dishes. It smells wonderful, she replied. But but he goes to sit, but nearly gets knocked over into the rocker as she hugs him. Oh easy, easy, he laughs. I'm not as young as I used to be. I don't care. You don't know how happy I am to see you. Actually, I know more than you might believe. He gently stroked her head and then turned back to the other chair and rocker. That's part of the reason why I asked you here tonight. Oh he began with his meeting of Arista on the other side of the gate, and him using the Solomon Gate to help adjust a few things. He put it to Alex that way, not wanting to share the extent he'd gone through time, preventing or helping what he could. The only thing he couldn't have known was how much those five years would have aged him. Is that why you've stayed hidden here at the cottage? Alex asked, to which Warren replied, No. Actually I've been working too, he said. These last two years, I've been looking for signs of what Jonah calls an event. An event? She asked, looking for clarification. Yes. The coming of a new demon hunter, similar to Jonah. Really? Is that possible? She wondered in disbelief. Jonah up to now had been an anomaly. Yes, but there's a problem, Warren said, closing his eyes, picturing exactly what he had seen. Oh what? Cassandra found him first, he replied. Cassandra? Ah, right. You were on the other side of the gate for that. Let's just say she's a lot like Malus, if not worse.

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So what can we do? How can I help?

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Well, how do you feel about going back to high school? High school? I'm almost twenty-one. Yes, but you can still pass for a high schooler, Warren replies. Ugh, you can't be serious. I hated high school. Alex agonized, and Warren waited patiently for her to relax. Alex, young man. He hands her a folder. Is about to turn fourteen in a few weeks. I can arrange for you to be enrolled as a student. But my last name will set off all types of alarms, Alex

A Demon Hunter Found First

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replied correctly. The name Kuchima was being spoken in many dark circles. She had become someone that could challenge them. My last name, however, Warren begins, has almost been forgotten. They believe I'm dead, and my grandfather's bloodline destroyed. So, Alex Kuchima, would you become my daughter? It was perhaps the most unusual proposal a girl could get. Are you serious? I had Bishop Brock and Secretary Fritz create the documents. They are official. You would truly be adopted into the Stevens family, which may seem odd for an almost 21-year-old, but I will cover your tracks, and I couldn't ask for a better person to carry my name. At least until you marry. She looked at the papers, at the gentle face of the man who had saved her life and could only think of one answer.

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Yes. I would be honored.

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Good. Tomorrow, pack your things and find some younger looking outfits. He handed her an envelope filled with money. That should cover your expenses. Holy Alex looked at the amount of cash. I can't. Yes, you can, and yes you will, he replied with a snarky smile. A. We are now family. B, we're also going into business together, and C, you need to get ready for school. Shortly after that, they paid a visit to the seminary. He and Alex sat in two red leather chairs across from Bishop

The High School Cover Plan

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Rock. He too had aged some, but still looked spry. Secretary Fritz, as usual, was running around, but that wasn't the reason they had come to the school for. After their meeting with the bishop, they made haste to Terence White's small office, an apartment in the dormitory. He sat, eyes closed, his hair white as snow under the blanket. He opened up his eyes as the two entered, and he beckoned for them to sit.

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Warren, I'm glad I got to see you one last time before I pass.

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I'm sorry it took me so long to get back to you, my old friend. Nonsense, he replied. You've been busy and I am grateful for you. Alex felt a little uncomfortable. She knew Professor White a little. She had interacted with him while joining the Sacred Dawn, and sometimes even during her training, he had even made sure that she had had help after her mom passed. Like Warren, he always seemed to have his finger on the pulse of things. Warren, did you recover the item I asked you to look for these last two years? Yes, although they thought they had hidden it well, Warren replied. Cassandra embedded it into the flesh of Devron Winters just before Jonah banished him into the waste.

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I see. Can you retrieve it?

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A sly smile came across the detective's face as he reached into his trench coat. Even retired, he loved his coat. He held up a baseball-sized object. The missing apostle, Peter.

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Ha!

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Terence laughed.

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I knew hiring a good detective would pay dividends. Good.

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He closed his eyes once more.

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Warren? Yes, Terence. Hold on to that. It will serve you well. And Alex Yes, sir. Do as your adopted father tells you, no matter what. Understood?

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Yes, sir.

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Good, he replied softly.

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My work is done, friends. It's time for me to sleep. His breathing grew shallow. As he drifted away, Warren could hear him say quietly, Hello,

Adoption Into The Stevens Name

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Sam. Are you to be my guide? Terence was buried quietly behind the cottage. Only a few were informed of his passing, and for serious reasons, even Jonah kept his distance. Although Warren thought he caught a shadow just outside the tree line, neither would say anything, not wave or acknowledge the other. Both had a job to do, and both could not afford to be detected yet. A month later, Alex and the detective had opened up a coffee house, and here she was standing in front of a room of 14-year-olds. Life was weird like this. At least for Alex. For Warren, too. He had changed. The tough exterior he had as a detective had almost faded. And now he seemed exactly as the role he had proposed to play. A dad.

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Interesting. Nothing like growing up, only to be forced back into high school. However, it does mean that Alex is in direct contact with our new friend, Mr. Taylor. Meanwhile, Warren hands us some juicy tidbits of a story we haven't heard. Perhaps it's in the sequel to Mr. Williams' new book, soon to be released, Acolyte. I am most certain it is. However, that isn't where our story is headed. As we move on to chapter three, in a very familiar title 14.