CATHEDRAL PARK

 “No time like the present” Isaac mutters as he clambers out of his car into the rain flooded street. The rain has been relentless this year, more than double the last. It doesn't faze him. At this point he likes it. He lifted his focus from the street to the park across the way. “Cathedral Park. Terrifying as always” he says to himself. No one in their right mind would come here at this hour, but Isaac has a job to do. Issac Nohren – Private investigator. Hired by a middleman for clues surrounding the death of Nicholas Avery, a local mason who led a rather normal life. Apart from being murdered in a park that is. Isaac made his way across the street quickly, eager to find what he could and make his way back home. Something about this place didn’t sit well with him, an air of familiarity as well as the lingering sensation of past trauma. He shook the thought from his mind and continued to the crime scene. It looked like a scene from a movie, still wrapped in caution tape w...

 Isaac couldn't handle what was before his eyes. Was this a man? A monster? One thing he knew for sure – This was a very real threat and he needed to act, and fast. The creature continued at him with an awkward gait. “WHOO ARE YOUU” he bellowed again, this time sounding as if he was gurgling blood. Isaac drew his revolver; and at that moment, carnage ensued. A lead pipe came smashing down on the creature's head from behind splattering a thick, black ichor onto the pavement. The creature let out a horrendous howl before dropping lifeless to the ground. Isaacs nerves now finally steeled he pointed his revolver at the man stood behind the creature. “Drop the weapon and back up” Isaac commanded. “Ahh relax mate” retorted the man. “Besides, that lead spitter yer holdin won’t do ya much good here”. Isaac could feel the sincerity in the man's voice and cautiously lowered the revolver. The man revealed himself from out of the shadows. He appeared to be a tradesman of some...

 Isaac and Silas were close to the hideout. The air was heavier than before with scents of old gasoline and Sulphur wafting in and out of the city's alleyways. Silas assured Isaac the alleys were the safest way to get around, but Isaac couldn’t help but feel as if they were being watched this whole time. “Almost there mate. Stay close, I haven't been back here in a bit. Not sure what's in store” Silas nervously whispered. Isaacs adrenaline was gone. Whatever was there he was ready, for better or for worse. They emerged from the alley into a side road, shadow filled and identical to the rest. Isaac questioned Silas on how he was able to navigate this tangled city. “Been here a while. Once you know you don’t forget” Silas said slyly while tapping his head. “Let's cut the chatter. We’re here.” Isaac was so intent on surveillance he hadn't noticed they approached a building. It was built of black brick and sunken deeper than the other buildings on the block. A...

 Isaacs face contorted from horror to rage. “What the fuck do you mean?” he shouted. Wilhelm stooped towards Isaac, looking as ominous as one would wrapped in bloody bandages. “I’m going to have to ask you to lower your voice mate. With that I’ll explain.” Wilhelm said hushed. Isaac begrudgingly nodded. “Alright then... Your little bout in the park? Wasn't real. You’re comatose. Where you’re standing now, we like to call the Parallel. In between life, and death. The kicker is you’re still dreaming. I haven’t dreamt in... I don’t know how long...” Isaac looked at Silas worriedly. Silas shook his head. He couldn't remember either. Wilhelm continued. “You’re fresh. Experiencing the overlaps. You still have a pulse, a chance. “What about you two?” Isaac asked. “Well... it gets trickier. We’ve been here a while, but we haven’t been given to the void. We’ve wracked our minds thinking of why, and with your arrival on our doorstep we may have an idea.” Isaac couldn't tell ...

 In that very moment of locking eyes with the hideous creature Isaac felt as if his soul was on fire. Like it was peering right through his flesh. The creature smiled, revealing two rows of human-like teeth before bellowing a horrific screech. Wilhelm and Silas stopped dead in their tracks, staring back at what would be the catalyst of the fight for their survival. “SWING.” Wilhelm bellowed at Isaac. Without thinking he swung the bat with every bit of strength he could muster, connecting directly with the side of the creature's head. Black liquid shot across the alley covering brick like freshly sprayed graffiti. As it crumpled to the ground lifeless the air got heavy, and the city was dead silent. Like the vacuum of space. The trio were frozen in their steps, listening. The sound of a horrific chorus came rushing down the alley. A whole gang of them sprinting, responding to their fallen ally’s final call. The trio bolted down the main road, trying not to look back. “Up ah...

 Isaac had been continuing down the hallway for what felt like hours. Nothing about it had changed, as if it kept expanding further as he went. The same sickly yellow walls, the same checkerboard tile. Dead silent. He thought deeply about Silas and Wilhelm. His friends. One surely gone forever and the others fate relying on him and his task. Tears welled in his eyes. How could he feel so close to two strangers he barely knew? As Isaac reflected his feelings, he saw something start to appear in the distance. He stowed his thoughts and stared straight ahead. He had finally reached the end of the hallway. On the wall to the right hung a payphone, and straight ahead was a red door. Isaac paused and thought to himself. Once again this all seemed so familiar. Isaac reached for the phone and put it to his ear. “Hello?” he said quietly. Nothing but static on the other end, but he waited. Some seconds passed before a voice spoke back. “Hello Isaac.” The voice said in an equally qui...

  “No time like the present” Isaac mutters as he clambers out of his car into the rain flooded street. The rain has been relentless this year, more than double the last. It doesn't faze him. At this point he likes it. He lifted his focus from the street to the studio across the way. Isaac was a famous photographer, slated for a shoot with some high-profile pop stars in town for the weekend. Isaac gathered his bags of gear and headed down the sidewalk. A man emerged from an upcoming alley and bumped shoulders with Isaac causing him to drop his bags. “What the fuck is your problem?” Isaac shouted as he turned to face the man. Isaac’s stomach dropped as the man turned to face him. He had a kind face and looked to be some sort of tradesman, but Isaac was staring directly at the stranger’s one milk white eye. The man smiled at Isaac and continued down the sidewalk. Isaac panicked. “Wait... This isn’t right... No. I've been here before... I’ve been here before...