Welcome to Hemlock Falls

[Sarah Whittaker]

((Unless one of the others objects, Sarah will lead them to the front door of the barracks. Unless we find Dave or are weirded out by something, Sarah's plan would be to go in, head for some common-room area if such exists. Looking for Dave or someone who might know where he might be.))

 

[The Dullahan]

((Okay! ))

Rourke would follow along as they headed to the barracks. He was ever vigilant, keeping a look out for another strange. The triangles still had him a bit freaked out, but he tried not to let it show as he remembered his training and kept a cool head.

 

[Craft]

Craft followed behind Sarah and Rourke, but kept glancing to the windows to see if he could see any hint of people inside. He would be glad to get out of the rain, but the circumstances that had literally led them here were incredibly odd. Even for someone that knew 'everything was true'.

"At least we'll get out of this downpour, right?" Craft offered as cheerfully as he could muster.

Despite his seeming good cheer, he was on guard, glancing around and observing as best he could, "Should we knock? Or just go inside?"

 

[Sarah Whittaker]

Sarah thinks for a moment, then raises a hand to knock. She pauses, looks at the others. "you .. have my back if weird shit happens, right?"

 

[Craft]

Craft smiles and nods, "Of course. If weird shit happens, we'll make sure you're safe"

There's confidence in those words, even though it appears he's armed with nothing but a flashlight and compass. He's not sure what to expect if the door opens, but he figures 'weird shit' is definitely in store for them this rainy night.

"Anyone home?" Craft calls a few moments after Sarah knocks on the door.

 

[Atrus]

Right after Craft says his phrase, with Sarah's hand still hovering over the door, the door is thrust open and Aaron Vert appears, a teen figure in a wet yellow raincoat. "You're late."
Before the others can ask what he means by that, he starts climbing the stairs two by two, halting only halfway to turn and holler at them: "Dave's room in on the second floor. Come on. I didn't light up your way just so you can lounge in the lobby."

 

[Craft]

"Late?" Craft mouths just moments before he processes the statement: 'light up your way'.

"That was you?" he asks, stepping into the lobby and following the teenager, "With the... triangles?"

Nothing supernatural ever happened there the CoV briefing had stated. It was obviously an incorrect statement, but he wondered how much this teenager had to do with the fact the rest of the 'world' thought that.

 

[Sarah Whittaker]

Sarah just stares, not moving. After a long moment, she asks "Aaron?" in an incredulous voice.

 

[Atrus]

Aaron sighs dramatically like only a teen can do: "Yes, yes, the triangles were me. I also helped you with the 'ghost'-" he makes airquotes here "-and I sent the broadcast that made you come here. Now can we go check on Dave? Seriously, if you're the pros, why am I the only one doing any work here?"

He starts running up the stairs again, only to holler: "Oh, and Sarah, try to keep that fantasy of yours at bay."

 

[Craft]

Craft raises an eyebrow and follows after Aaron, "You do know that email is probably a little easier than cryptic broadcasts over a radio frequency."

The mention of the of the broadcast that had brought them here, something that they had only recently told Sarah definitely placed Aaron in the category of 'knowing something'. Craft wasn't sure if that was a good thing or not. He'd have some questions for the teenagers, after they made sure Dave was alright.

 

[Atrus]

Aaron shrugged. "That's what she pestered me to do. I don't think you were what she was expecting to reply, but you came, and you're all that we have. So come on already."

The boy then sprints up ahead, waiting for them in front of Dave's door, which they would find locked, although some light is filtering from under the door.

 

[Sarah Whittaker]

Sarah struggles with this for a moment, then shakes her head and follows Aaron up the stairs. She has only one comment - verbally. "She?"

Then she knocks on Dave's door.

 

[Atrus]

Aaron turns to look at Sarah, mouth slightly agape, his expression bewildered despite his sunglasses - which he was wearing even inside, in the semi-dark: "You mean you don't know her? Wow."

No one replies at the knock.

 

[Sarah Whittaker]

"Um .... no? Not if she's part of all that.... " She waves a hand in the general direction of the mansion, the fields, the general 'weird'. She swallows then says "'That fantasy of mine' is just that: stuff assembled from urban legends, ghost stories and an eclectic taste in books."

 

[Craft]

"Not what she expected?" Craft had multiple questions about that, but it could wait until they ensured Dave was alright.

The fact no-one responded to the knock had Craft look from Aaron to Sarah, "Maybe one of you folks that actually know Dave should... talk to him? I mean, I could, but considering he has no idea who I am, I doubt he'd have much to say."

He knew that if there was no response to that, they'd likely have to invite themselves in.

 

[Sarah Whittaker]

Sarah nods, and calls out "Dave? Dave? Joe is worried about you. Can you open the door?"

 

[Craft]

Craft's glad Sarah called out for Dave, being that she was a more familiar voice. He waits for any indication of movement inside the room, any response from Dave.

Lowering his voice he says softly, "He ever run off like this before?"

 

[Atrus]

Sarah wouldn't know much about Dave and his outbursts. He heard about him, and how his stint in the war changed him, but she's not familiar with him personally.

Aaron seems to lose patience over the lack of replies, so he braces himself, kicks the door, and... well, the door rattles a bit, but Aaron seems more shaken than the door itself. "Ow. OK. I'll leave this to you lot."

 

[Sarah Whittaker]

Sarah shakes her head and shrugs. "I've only heard gossip. Aaron might know."

 

[Atrus]

Aaron shakes his head, stuffing his hands in his pockets. "Uh, no. Why would I know a psycho war vet dude?"