Confrontation

Returning home, Ethan can’t help but wonder exactly what had occurred the previous night. Taking a seat at his computer he creates a flow chart of the events which have transpired.

“Let’s see, first the Siren was destroyed by stones dropping from the sky” Ethan says to himself, “…then the Winthrop Plant was torn apart, followed by the destruction of the children’s park and the Library at the community college…”

Completing his flow chart, Ethan stares at it attempting to make sense of the strange events listed before him.

“Well” Ethan thinks “when in doubt, start at the beginning.”

Searching through various public data bases, he discovers the owner of The Siren is one Derek Powers.

“Derek Powers” Ethan thinks aloud now connecting the dots “the Winthrop Plant, also owned by the Powers Industries; which also bankrolled the construction of the library, AND the children’s park is named after Derek’s father Walter Powers!”

Excited about his discovery, Ethan gets up from his computer and begins pacing across his office as he thinks aloud to himself.

“So, Derek Powers appears to be the target of these attacks. But who is behind these attacks and why?”

Ethan stops and looks at nothing in particular outside his office window.

“When in doubt,” he reminds himself again “begin at the beginning….Wait! The destruction of the Siren wasn’t the first thing that occurred, before that there was the prison break!”

Ethan takes a seat at his computer again.

“Now let’s see…” he mumbles to himself “…who at the prison would have a grudge against Derek Powers?

Suddenly it become very clear.

Ethan searches the archives of the Shadow Falls Courier for information pertaining to Ricky Mason.

Mason Gets 25 Years to Life for Murder of Matthew Powers

A local man has been sentenced to 25 years to life for the murder of Matthew Powers, son of prominent business man Derek Powers CEO of Powers Industries, one of the state’s biggest employers.

Ricky Mason, 20, of Shadow Falls, South Carolina was told he would serve a minimum of 25 years for the murder.

According to prosecutors, Mason shot and killed Powers when Matthew Powers interrupted Mason during a break-in of his father’s private safe. Mason had been employed as a handyman and driver at the Power’s Estate for just over 18 months at the time of the shooting.

At his trial earlier this year, Mason made no attempt to assist in his own defense and despite several requests gave no interviews to the media.

Grabbing his cell phone, Ethan calls Chaplain Wynne at the ‘Palms’

“Hello, Chaplain Wynne’s office.”

“Hi Chaplain, this is Ethan Knox.”

“Hi Ethan, look I’m sorry about having to cancel the Wiccan Study Group for the time being, but rest assured your group isn’t being singled out, all classes and observations have been canceled. We simply can’t guarantee security.”

“Oh I understand, Chaplain. I was just wondering, has Ricky Mason been re-captured?”

“Ricky ah no, I don’t think so. We’re not even sure if he’s still alive. A lot can happen out there in the swamps, you know, there may be nothing to find.”

“Hmmm”

“He’s hasn’t contacted you, has he?”

“What? Oh no, I haven’t been contacted by anyone.”

“Why all this interest in Ricky Mason, Ethan?”

“Oh just concerned…about my students. Maybe I’ll light a candle for them?

“Of course, of course, they’ll be in my prayers as well.”

“Well, thanks for the information Chaplain. Goodbye”

“God Bless.”

Flipping his phone shut, Ethan continues to think aloud “So Ricky is still unaccounted for….but how could he EVER do anything like this? Still its the only answer, it has to be him.”

“It won’t take the police long to come to the same conclusion I have.” Ethan exclaims to himself as he runs up to the second floor of his home taking the stairs two at a time “And if he really is behind all this they aren’t prepared to deal with this kind of threat. I have to find him before anyone gets hurt!”

In his temple, Ethan repeats the spell he used to locate Tina Jones when she went missing earlier the previous week, and pinpoints Ricky’s location.

Driving out to the Stardust, located on a lonely back road on the eastern side of Shadow Falls, Ethan recalls that the theater had been a major attraction in the town in the 1950’s but the owners died in the 70’s leaving no heirs. The land later reverted back to the city, whose plans to develop it never came to fruition. The Stardust now barely stands as a monument to a different time. Covered in kudzu, Ethan notices how the theater resembles a giant monster from an old Godzilla movie.

Swallowing his fear, Ethan steps inside the darkened theater and immediately regrets having left his flashlight at home.

Inside Ricky Mason is asleep on a makeshift cot he’s made for himself, however, his past two years in prison have made him a light sleeper. He awakens from his spot behind the movie screen, and sitting up listens for what first alerted his senses.

Ethan explores the concession area and decides to go into the theater itself. Inside the theater some light filters through a hole in the roof, but most of it is obscured by the kudzu. As Ethan’s eyes adjust to the darkness, he opens all his senses in hopes of finding Ricky.

“Ricky” Ethan calls out sensing another presence.

“Mr. Knox?” Ricky answers coming out from his hiding place. “How did you find me here?”

“That’s not important right now Ricky. But if I can find you, the police won’t be far behind. Look, you need to come with me, back to the police station. Things will go better for you if you turn yourself in….”

“No way man!” Ricky answers as he begins to walk past Ethan “I’m not going back, not now…not EVER! Besides I have a score to settle. Which reminds me I have a date with destiny, I better be leaving now. ”

“You mean with Derek Powers, don’t you?” says Ethan blocking Ricky’s way.

“Look Mr. Knox, I like you and all, but don’t get in my way.”

“Listen Ricky, I’ll come with you….”

“I said, don’t get in my way” Ricky exclaims interrupting Ethan.

Ricky eyes take on a reddish glow and Ethan is thrown through a wall on the other side of the room.

“I’m sorry Mr. Knox” Ricky mumbles “but I said I’m not going back.”

Ricky exits the Stardust and believing that Ethan is dead or unconscious makes his way to Ethan’s car.

“I’m afraid its not going to be that easy Ricky” Ethan calls from behind Ricky.

As Ricky turns around he sees that Ethan has his hands up to his temples as if he’s concentrating very hard. Suddenly a nearby chain link fence breaks apart and coils itself around Ricky.

“So” Ricky observes “You’ve been holding out on us Mr. Knox. I’m not the only one with powers…”

“I’m sorry, I had to do that Ricky” Ethan explains “but I can’t let you hurt anyone.”

“Oh it’s not over yet” Ricky mumbles as his eyes take on the familiar red glow as the fencing coiled around him glows red and explodes outward away from him.

Ethan closes his eyes concentrating hard as he strains to envelope himself in a cocoon of telekinetic energy. When he opens his eyes, he find that the Stardust is on fire and Ricky is no where to be found.