"Dagon Y'ha-nthlei Cthulhu Fhtagn"

 After a moment of startlement, we headed over to that person slowly. The man seemed to be walking in a particular path, but something felt wrong about him. Though the man was moving, he didn't seem to be aware. His eyes may have been open, but the stare was vacant. We waved our hands in front of his face and try to move him in a different direction, but to no avail. Quickly found out the stranger didn't seem to be aware of anything like sleep walking. There didn't seem anything medically wrong with the man as far as I was aware by my swift study of him.

 We end up following the sleepwalker after some deliberation, after all where else could we go. Every other person seemed to be down where they were at or like this one walking blindly. As we follow more and more people appear like the first to the point where it was a crowd like for a parade or some other event. Mr. Smith suddenly broke the silence with, "Are all these people from the school?"

 "No," I stated, "Not all of them."

 We wandered down the streets which still increased in number of people walking, and we were just part of it's flow. Along one street we could see the destination, St. Peter's Church. People from other streets were converging there. As we continue, we saw creatures. They were tall and look like a combination of fish and human with scaly green flesh,  Their hands and feet like those of a frog. I gasped as the Professor and Mr. Smith stared though seem to be taking it better then myself. My eyes watched them as they wander out of sight making me hope they'll never come back.

 However that wasn't the only thing standing out, there were people, not the ones unaware, but ones who seemed to be so. Upon the entryway of the church, cheerful and somehow seeming to know what was going on as they chanted, "Dagon Y'ha-nthlei Cthulhu Fhtagn"

 I tried asking questions and general chatting with them, however they just smile and chant. It was worth a try as I listened to their words then attempted the chanting, but it was to no avail as they shuffle us into the church. Following the herd of people between the sisters of the church mumbling words like a prayer, but vacant unlike the jovial ones. We were led down the hall to a room with some of the large floor tiles were moved. The crowd shuffled down into a tunnel; there were more of the aware ones guiding and forcing us down the hole. The tunnel was strangely made, almost like it was done my hand, but not human hands; thoughts strayed to the fishmen, which sent a shudder through me.

 We head down or more like forced as more of these chanters shuffle us into rows all circling around the center of room. My eyes lingered upon a hallway to escape to, but there were those cultist everywhere. I use this term, cultist because the ones down here were dressed differently and with the way the room was set up with these people was like some sort of ritual. I didn't care what it was; I knew I didn't want to be here for whatever they plan to do. I pointed to the exit behind us to my companion, after all I didn't want to draw attention of the ones who seem to be running the show. Mr. Cross however shook his head. He thought it was too much of a risk. Mr. Smith seemed to be with me on this. I hoped us escaping would encourage the professor to follow. Eyeing our guards, we sneaked away down the hall; it was successful. I looked back at the professor, but he still wouldn't come with us.

 What could we do? We walked down the hall quietly looking back often, not only for the professor but for anyone who may notice our escape. As we continue down the hallway, there was a room off to the right. Why not look at this point? With everything going on that wasn't making any sense, curiosity had grown stronger.

 However disappointment came, this room was fairly bare except for a bag, a key with a tag, and old clothes. I picked up the old grey key reading the tag, '1732 Puckette Road' and slipped it into the pocket  My tall companion was searching through the bag. My gaze lingered at the ragged clothes, it shouldn't be anything of note but you never known. My hands shuffled through the pockets till they laid hands on some old papers. I glance at the cover that read 'The Esoteric Order of Dagon'; it wasn't every day that one find a book that could be read and restore. As an archaeologist, it was very important to me. Carefully, I wrapped the book into the clothes and placed it into my bag. Mr. Smith had shoulder the bag. I asked quietly, "So what's in the bag?"

He just turned and open it causing a gasp from me as I stared at those brownish wrapped tubes of explosives. He murmured, "I thought they may be useful if we run into those creatures or just need to defend ourselves in general."

My head nodded in astonish approval, hoping it wouldn't be necessary. We continued onward to the end of the hall for it was the only path we had. A strong part of me wanted to get the professor and dragged him with us, but how could it be done sneakily? The door before us was the exit. In some strange way the mist outside was now comforting, but we couldn't help but to linger in front of the exit way  It was obvious both our thoughts were on the older man, but we knew there was nothing to be done.

 Meanwhile inside, the professor waited for things to be over or perhaps wake up to find all this was a dream. However he didn't have to wait long before the chanting began and lights seemed to dim. Fishmen came in and had stack of bodies in the center; they seemed to be expectant. That was when a door seemed to appear from no where. It was opened to see only darkness yet somehow the door itself seemed to glow. Suddenly out of the doorway came an impossibly large skeleton hand pulling a body into the door. It continue to do so one at a time. Mr. Cross decided this was a fine opportunity to escape down the hallway without a second glance back.

The Day Begins

 I set down the phone as my thoughts lingered over the fact that the borrowed scale broke while I was at the archaeology excavation. The order for the new one should come tomorrow before anyone knew any different about it. However insignificant it was to break the scale, it was still something that could risk my position at Bates College. At that thought, tomorrow's class as well as exhaustion of traveling back took stronger hold on my mind. Sleep, sleep that was what I needed. However, an unexpected dream came to me that night:

 Darkness surrounded me in imposing silence. The pressure of the world felt heavy upon my shoulders as a strange knowledge lurked in my mind. One of a door that would be opening soon. My hand reached out when I woke with a loud yelp, shivering, and sweating under my sheets. Despite how terrifying it was, my memory of it was already fading. It occurred to me the hand only had three fingers, except...they weren't fingers. I couldn't think of any other way of describing them. Either way they were obviously not my hands.

 I forced my thoughts upon work and getting ready. My eyes lingered on the assortment of clothes I unpacked, especially upon the pants, that however would be inappropriate as a female professor. Quickly ready myself and set off to the college on my vespa. It was a pleasant day though cool as expected in March for Maine. The school was definitely the biggest in Lewiston, and the best for that matter. I casually went to my office nodding my head with light hello to anyone who initiated. This office was admittedly the department office, but I had my own desk. The room had different artifacts decorating the place. I set to work busily with papers and making lesson plans.

 That is when the senior professor walked in. Everyone knew him as the richest person in town, as for school workers he was an intelligent, and biggest contributor to the school. As for myself, I admire his vast knowledge of sciences. He was obviously here for business, but seemed a bit surprise to see a female in the archaeology department; it was a look I had grown accustom to. The professor began to open his mouth to speak then stop. He did this several times before I decided to spare him,

 "Did you need something, Professor Cross?"

 He seemed to bring himself together as he began, "Yes I do. There is an... old story that I needed to look up. One that I think you may know something about. Um... it's ...well a story about a constellation one that hasn't been in our sky somewhat similar to Orion's belt. It marked the coming of something..."

 I thought about it hard, after all if I could help it would not only be of service to one I have admired, but serve as proof that I was better then my male coworker in this department. It did sound familiar, then it came to me, "There is a story like that in an Arabian book in the library."

 "When can we go?" he asked obviously eager to hear the story.

 I hesitated, "Er, well I'm expecting a delivery to arrive. After it arrives, I will contact you to go to the library."

 "Alright. I don't have class till late this evening"

 He turned to leave when the phone rings. I swiftly answer it, "Hello?"

 "Professor Lee, there is a delivery for you at the front. Shall I send him in?" the female secretary asked over the phone.

 "Yes please do," I couldn't help but to smile. I was curious of the details of the story and how it would interest the professor. "Professor it seems my delivery is here. So if you don't mind awaiting a moment, we can go."

He awaited slightly fidgety. Within minute or two, a young handsome and very tall man walked in with a box in hand. "Are you Annabell Lee?"

"Yes I am," I answered swiftly as he arranged the clipboard for me to sign. I wrote swiftly when things went strangely silent. It is something easy to notice, especially during the day. There is always movement, chatter of students and employees, but now there wasn't a sound. Silence, like an impeding doom lingered over us. The doors of the office were close but through the window we could see a strange fog on the other side. Something that shouldn't be in a school, or any building for that matter.

 Fear coiled up inside me. The other two stared out unsure as well. The package deliver asked, "Is this normal?"

 "No it's not," Professor replied, "It is quite fascinating."

 I spoke up trying to remain strong, "I think we should leave. There is another door over here and it doesn't seem to have that...gas."

 Mr. Cross reluctantly moved towards the door as he stated , "I don't know if it would be of harm of us."

 "I rather not find out," I stated opening the door and glancing down both ends of the hallway. One door had mist filled behind it and the other seemed clear for the moment. We all seemed to pause studying the bizarre occurrence before us. Whatever it was, it didn't seem to be anything she knew of. A swift glance at both of them, confirmed it was the same for them. I turned to what seemed to be a door free of the strange fog, "This way."

 That is when wall of mist suddenly fell into the room as the other door was open. I couldn't remember which of the two open that door as anger and terror race through me. My stomach twisted making me want to hurl as the room seem to spin for a moment. My eyes waver as my head felt light, then as sudden as these feeling came, they left. It was strange. We all left the place swiftly as they followed my lead; the gas must only be in the building. I wish it was so. My eyes couldn't believe what it saw. Bate's College sat atop a hill and all around us was the town filled in the strange fog. No sound to be heard and no movement to be seen.

 "This must be an attack. The war in Europe reached here," I stated fearfully.

 The Professor, "This isn't any gas I know of."

 "It's probably new," I added firmly.

 The young man asked, "But why would they attack here? And where is everyone?"

 "I don't know," I said faintly.

 "I'm sure it's not an attack from Europe," he stated confidently  "There are much better targets then this town, such as New York and Boston."

 We all stared. I strained my ears to hear something in the silence. A noise reached me it was faint but it was noise. I gathered myself up, "I don't know what's going on here, but I'm not going to just sit here and wait for this to go away. I'm going to look for people. Are you two going to come along ?"

 Mr. Cross stated in a tone that implying it was only proper to do so, "I'll come with."

 The other said plainly, "Well I would go back to work, but with all this going on I don't think they'll need me. So I'll tag along."

 Relief washed over me; I didn't want to wander alone through this. I introduced, "I'm Annabell Lee and you are?"

 The delivery man stated, "Nice to meet you I'm Jack Smith."

 The senior teacher, "And I'm Doctor Richard Cross."

 Jack nodded at him as I informed them, "I heard a noise over this way" Pointing at where the noise seem to be coming from. They followed without question as the mist level went from ankle deep to waist to being everywhere. Visibility was limited as we traverse down the hill and down the street. It was empty until my gaze found a person upon the sidewalk ground. I gasped as I pointed it out to the other two, "Look there!"

 With a brisk walk over, I took his hand for a pulse, which was there as a steady slow beat. With further examination, it seemed the man was sleeping, but wouldn't wake up to any motion. I decided that it be best to move him to a nearby bench, which the men did so smoothly. When finished Mr. Smith suddenly pointed and exclaim, "Look!"

 Our gaze swiftly turn to find what it is the young man saw. My eyes studied the thick fog until then I saw what he was looking at; a person walking down the road...towards us.