The Entity

The people in the town of Haven live in fear, most of them for as long as they can remember. Every night at the same time a malevolent entity comes out of nowhere and kills anyone who is out in the streets. Nobody in the town knows what this thing is or where it has come from and every person that tries to find out anything about it either comes to a dead end or they go missing.

The only safety the people of Haven have is to get inside before the hour of six every night. As soon as they hear the warning bell they get inside. They have become distrustful of anyone from outside of their town and they have become secretive about everything.

* * * * *

Everyone was going about their day as they had for their entire lives. The teenagers were hanging round the shops and generally making mischief while the store owners tried to chase them away and close up their shops as they wanted to get home to their families before it was too late. All of their movements had a sense of urgency and the teenagers, seeing this began to grab all of their gear and say their good byes. As they did there was a sense of sadness and hope- sadness at saying goodby and hope that it would not be the last time- that they would see their friends again.

Suddenly a low deep bell sounded over the town, causing everyone to look at each other. As soon as it began to gong constantly everyone began to run down the streets or to their cars so that they could get home and safety. Everyone knew that if they did not it was certain death.

The parents of the Richardson family ran through the door and slammed it shut. They took several deep breaths as they son walked into the main room and looked at them.
"I was afraid that you weren't going to make it. I don't want to lose you."
The mother looked at her son.
"Where is your sister. Brian, where is Becky?"
Brian looked at his mother with wide eyes.
"She wasn't here when I came home Mom. I thought that she was with you."
Just then everything outside went dark and the mother and father looked at each other just as there was knocking on the front door. They then heard their daughter's voice coming from the other side of the door- asking to be let in. They mother moved to open the door but was stopped by her husband. She looked at him with wide eyes.

"That is our daughter out there Mike. We can't leave her out there."

"We can and we must Joclyn. If we let her in we will be dead as well. We just have to pray that it leaves her alone."

Just then they heard their daughter start to pound on the front door. Joclyn tried to get past Mike to open the door but he held onto her as he knew that it they opened the door they would be as good as dead.

They then heard a scream come from the door and they looked at it with wide eyes. They heard their daughters body being slammed against the door again and again they get thrown against the side of the house before being slammed against the door again.

Above the sound of their daughters body being slammed against the front of their home Mike and Joclyn could hear one thing- her screaming. It sounded as though it was being ripped from her and Mike hoped that it would end soon as he held Joclyn close who was crying into his shirt.

* * * * *

As the sun rose the sound of a Harley could be heard coming down the road, breaking up the sounds of the new morning. It then suddenly appeared over the horizon, its rider sitting comfortably on the seat of the large black bike as if he had been born there. It moved down the road and the rider saw the country side fly past as a blur just as he passed the large sign that said Welcome to Haven.

Daniel Thompson had been told that this was a beautiful place to visit and as he saw the coastal town spread out before him he knew that it was true. He drove down the road straight into the town and the first thing he noticed was how peaceful and quiet it was and how it was being destroyed by his engine.

He then noticed the looks of the people who were watching him as he passed. He thought that it was weird the way that they looked at him- as if he didn't belong, as if he should not be there. They also had the look on their faces that they thought it was weird that someone should be coming to their town.

Daniel rode his bike down the main street where he had been told the hotel was. Just as he saw the hotel a truck drove past him and Daniel's eyes widened when he saw an arm leaning over the top. What the hell was that? was his first thought as he moved down the road towards the large hotel that loomed at the end of the street.

He just hoped that this town was going to give him everything that it promised.

Callen

This was the way of life for Callen... She had been born in Haven, raised in Haven, and she hated Haven. At first, things were as normal in Haven as anywhere else. Quiet and peaceful, a good place to raise a family, everyone knew everyone. Haven was, well, a haven from the bigger, busy, and sometimes violent cities of the world.

Until things.......... changed.

But, Callen knew no other way of life, which often happened with children of a smaller town.. and Haven, as beautiful as it was, as picturesque as a postcard, as quiet as a down filled pillow, at least during the daylight hours that is, Haven was exactly that, a small town...

Callen remembered the time, "before", as many others did, but now, again, she knew no other way of life, nothing other than what she read, and she read voraciously. Any magazine, newspaper, book, that talked about, wrote about, described a town, city, location other than Haven.

Some had left. Before and after.

They were the lucky ones, altho to hear the townspeople speak of the "deserters", it was thought, and widely spoken about, that they were dead, or in a worse place than Haven. Surely there were cities and towns that harbored death during the light of day and not only at night, one only had to hear the news is all.

Most, for whatever reason, stayed, stayed in Haven. Even after the Entity had come, had struck, had held this quaint little town hostage...Haven was home after all. And the devil you knew, was infinitely better than the devil you didn't.. right???

Would Callen leave? She had extensive family in Haven. Callen Stone. The Stone name is well known. And is related to many others. The Woodburns, the Perrys and the Richardsons. No, family was everything to Callen, she couldn't leave. She wouldn't even know where to go, who to see, what to do. And what if there were worse .... nightmares out there than in Haven. The thought made Callen shiver.

And yes, the Richardsons were family to Callen. Becky was her cousin. Her death came on the eve of Callen's 18th birthday.

Since that horrible night, Callen had withdrawn into herself. It was her fault. All her fault. They had been out late, too late, talking about, planning, Callen's 18th birthday. Callen had barely made it home on time. She had burst into her house, a block from Becky's, with only a minute to spare. Becky, as we now know, was not so lucky.

The screams still echoed in Callen's mind.

She had heard those blood curdling sounds, torn from Becky's soul, from that block away. It was HER fault.

************

Callen took a deep breath as she made her way along the sidewalk. She had pulled back her long dark hair, the sun was warm, humid today. Already, her shimmering summer dress had begun to cling to her skin, to every curve, outlining her supple, young, 18 year old body. Some would think that Callen had planned the humidity, had worn the dress with the specific reason of teasing the many young men who drove by, walked by, whom she passed. And yes, despite the somber air that hung over Haven since Becky's .... death.... the boys noticed Callen.

But none dared approach her.

None wished to deal with the emotions that colored her once crystal blue eyes. The sadness that flowed within her gaze.

None saw the hatred that had ignited within Callen. The hatred for whatever evil had come over their town, hatred for the Nightmare that had ripped Becky apart.

Hatred and Fear were the only emotions Callen knew now.

She heard the rumble of a motorcycle. There were a few of the boys who had bikes. But this did not sound like the beat up bikes of one of the town's resident teens. This had a much deeper sound, a much lower growl, well tuned, well taken care of, and very powerful. For a moment, Callen wondered if that was what a deep powerful, deadly growl sounded like, right before it struck... right before you died....

Shaking her head to rid herself of that thought, she stopped, right in front of the one hotel that had dared to open in Haven so long ago. Not many stayed here, but as picturesque as Haven was, there were some brave souls.

They usually left the very next day.... None witnessed the Nightmare, the Entity, that haunted Haven, the townspeople never spoke of it to strangers. But Haven, as beautiful as it was, was never all that friendly, and often, that was the reason most left shortly after arriving. That was fine by the townpeople. They didn't like strangers asking questions, altho one small "good" came out of having visitors, when someone died, it wasn't someone they knew.

Some of the Elders even welcomed visitors.

"to appease the the Entity" they said. Another way of saying, let the evil, the Entity strike and kill the strangers, and leave us... alone..

Callen had never bought into that thinking. But usually she just kept out of it. If a visitor was too stupid to realize they were unwelcome and to leave, what could she do. Haven was locked up tight well before sunset, 6pm, anyways, there was nothing to do after dark, other than.... die...

With a slight tilt of her head, she watched the Harley roll down the street. It was a beautiful machine, that was for sure. For a moment, she wondered what it really would feel like to simply hop on that Harley and leave. Go. And never return.

Funny, Callen had not even noticed the truck that had passed the Harley, the truck baring 3 bodies, all having been torn apart the night prior. All were drifters, having wandered into town just before curfew. At least the Nightmare's appetite had been sated, for the moment. The truck was a part of life in Haven, none took notice of it anymore.

But apparently the Rider of the Harley did, Callen winced as he stared at the truck passing by before pulling up to the Hotel, right where she was standing.

She tore her eyes away from the machine, more interested in it than the Rider, and began to walk past.

Another Stranger. It was none of her business. She couldn't an wouldn't say anything anyways...

Her sun dress fluttered lightly about her smooth, shaped legs, teasing, touching, tantalizing as she moved... turning away those blue eyes so filled with horror and fear, and hatred...


a picture of Callen

Daniel stopped his bike outside of the hotel and looked around, surprised that this place had not changed at all. It had been years since he and his family had left Haven but this place had not changed at all. He knew that he shouldn't surprise him as little towns like this stayed the same no matter what happened in the outside world but this was different, this was down right creepy. He got up off his bike, pushed down the stand and walked to the front door of the hotel, slowly pushing it open.

As soon as he was inside he saw the man standing there which a shocked expression on his face, as if didn't expect Daniel or anyone to be there. Daniel just smiled as he moved forward and pressed the button down on the bell.

"Hello sir. My name is Mr Higgins. How may I help you?"

"Hello Mr Higgins. My name is Daniel Thompson. I would like a room here. I was wondering if there were any free ones around?"

The man stood there and Daniel could tell that he had no way to respond to it; as if he had not been asked that question in so long a time.

"Let me see... Yes, we have several rooms avaliable. How long will you be staying?"

"I'm not quite sure? Perhaps several days?"

The man looked at him in shock but then moved forward quickly and handed him a key.

"It will be twenty five a night for the room which is Number Eight. The lock up time is six o'clock every night. There is no exceptions to that."

Daniel wanted to laugh at that but when he saw the serious look on Mr Higgins's face he knew that it was not a laughing matter and held onto the key as he moved towards the stairs. He unlocked the door and through his bag onto the bed, looking around the room with a loud sigh.

"Well I am back here, at least for a little while. Now lets see what I can do around here and see if anything has changed."

He locked the door and walked down the stairs, waving to Mr Higgins as he walked past him then walked outside just to see that his bike was still out there. He smiled and knew why he loved small towns. It was then that he saw the young woman standing there as if waiting for him to come out. He wanted to wave to her but she suddenly turned away.

"I wonder what that is all about."

He slowly turned and walked away from the building but stopped and looked back at his bike, wondering if he should take it for a ride around the town but thought better of it. He stuck his hands into the pockets of his coat and started to walk around down the street again, his eyes on the sea view that was before him. He had always loved seeing it when he was a kid, had always loved playing on that beach.

He shook his head and began whistling a tune as he walked.

Callen had rounded the corner and was out of sight by the time the Stranger had left for His walk. Just barely in the distance, she could hear Him whistling. She paused in her step, paused and listened. Whistling. A happy sound. HAPPY!!! That was one thing missing from Haven it seemed. Happy sounds. There had not been happy sounds in Haven in what felt like forever.

She rounded the corner again. Without thinking, she was heading around and back, back toward the Hotel, back toward the Bike. That Harley. Her eyes were drawn to it. She could escape on it. Right??

There were cars in Haven, but until Callen saw this Bike, a Bike that had perhaps taken someone OUT of Haven, it never had occurred to her to buy a car and drive away. This Bike, This Harley Davidson Motorcycle represented freedom to her. It came from OUTSIDE of Haven and could go BACK OUTSIDE of Haven. Right??? RIGHT??

Callen began to shiver, no matter how warm it was out.

No, NO, the words of the Elders, the ones who reigned over Haven, came to her mind. Outside of Haven was not safe. There were worse dangers outside, unknown dangers.

And.....

What if the Entity followed ???

It was thought that It did exactly that. All who had left Haven had NEVER returned. It was thought that was because the Entity had hunted them down, had found them, when they thought they were safe, and had shown them... You could never really escape, right??

She turned and disappeared into the lobby of the Hotel.

"Hi George"

Everyone pretty much knew everyone. George Higgins had run the Hotel for years. Not that there was much to run. Often the Hotel merely served as a refuge for any unfortunate soul who was too far from home to get to before the 6:00 chimes.

"Hi Pretty Callen"


George had always called her that "Pretty Callen" It made her smile, altho today, she did not smile. She had nothing to smile about.

"George" she barely whispered "who is He?"

At first, George was not going to answer. What business was it of hers? But Callen was so sweet faced, he could not resist those crystal clear blue eyes.

"Says his name is Daniel, Daniel Thompson. Says he is ... back.... for a little while. You don't suppose he, he, is from here??"

The thought, now that George had considered it, widened his eyes. From here? Someone actually left and survived to return?? And why? Why would anyone come back here???

Callen was just as wide eyed. This was almost unbelievable. "I don't know any Thompsons" she said more to herself. "And why would he want to come back here??" she voicing the same question George was obviously thinking.

Taking a glance at the time, it was still early afternoon, just after 2. Her watch had an alarm set on it, to sound at 5:30, giving her 30 minutes to get home. She had plenty of time. Stepping back outside, she took another look at the Bike. Should she warn him? Did he remember? Did he even know?

Callen took off down the sidewalk. She wanted to know more about this Daniel Thompson, and to learn more, she had to find where he had wondered off too.

But He had effectively disappeared. Callen knew the town well, of course, but there were many side streets and the like, not to mention the surrounding land, as well as the beach and the ocean. This Daniel could be anywhere. Was He visiting family? Who would that be?

She ended up back in front of the Hotel, it was 4:30, and she was staring once more at His Bike.

He slowly walked around the town and noted that nothing at all had changed with it. It was as if the whole place had been caught in a time warp and the rest of the world had passed it by. He let out a small sigh and wondered once again why he had come back to this place. Had he come back to relive his childhood, to get some back of him back or was he back here to get his lost memories, whatever it was he knew that it was an entirely stupid idea. He shook his head and turned slowly to look down the hill at the shops on either side of the street.

He knew that he had always loved looking down at those shops, at that street at this time of the day but it seemed as if it was from another part of his life. As soon as he had left this town a part of him screamed out to stay here but he knew now that it had been the best idea he and his parents had ever had. He shoved his hands into the pockets of his jackets and began to whistle again as he started walking.

It was then that he saw several people walking towards him and when he saw the looks that were on their faces, the agitation and disdain that were on their faces he wondered what he had done to warrant such a look. He wanted to stop and talk to them but he did not know what sort of reaction they would give him. Instead he slowly began to walk away from them, ignoring the mumbled comments from them as he did.

He now knew that they did not want him here, that he should not have come back here but he did not care. This was where he had been born, this was where he still called home even though he had not been here in years.

His parents had told him that they did not want him to go back to Haven when he had told them what he had planned but the next day he had hoped onto his Harley and come here.

It was then that he saw his bike sitting there and the young girl standing there staring at it as if it was something magical. He walked slowly towards her, cleared his throat and said, "Um hello there. What do you wish to do with my bike?"

"Um hello there. What do you wish to do with my bike?"


Callen almost did not even hear Him. She was so lost in her thoughts. Thoughts of freedom. Thoughts of safety. Thoughts of seeing the sun set, seeing the stars, feeling the cool air of the evening on her skin. All things she never could see. Never had seen. Even windows could not be left open at night.

What did she wish to do with His bike?? LEAVE...

She came so close to screaming the word at Him.

LEAVE !!!!!

"Do? Do with Your bike?" she repeated, tearing her eyes from it to Him. She had that same almost haunted look He had seen in the eyes of the others, only hers did not hold the disdain the others had.

"I'm sorry, Your bike is gorgeous. I've never been on one before" she stammered, thinking that her words sounded, well, lame.

Stepping back she stared at Him. "What, What would bring You to Haven??" She had to ask. It was a question begging to be asked, asked and answered. She wanted to ask if He was from here, did He know of the..... Entity, Where had He gone, What was it like away from Haven, and Why?? Why did He come back?

"I'm Callen" she almost blurted out. She wanted to know who He was, was almost desperate to know His ...... story

Daniel looked down at his bike with a smile on his face. He knew that it wasn't something special as there were plenty of them around in this world but it seemed as if this part of the world had never seen a Harley Davidson before. He looked at the girl again and for the first time noticed what she looked like. She was more beautiful than any woman he had seen before and he found that he could not take his eyes off her.

"My name is Daniel and what brought me to Haven is well; I was kind of born here. I was taken away from this place when I was only two years old and can't remember much but I wanted to see this place once more. I know that it sounds stupid but you never seem to forget the place where you were born and I wanted to come back. When I told my parents that they told me everything they could not to come back here as if they were scared but I had to come back. But when I came here today it doesn't seem right, it seems as though something is wrong."

He walked slowly towards her, his eyes never leaving hers and smiled. He wished that he could ask her to dinner or something as he was so used to doing that and having woman say that they would but she was different, there was something about this girl that told him to back off a little and let things take their course slowly.

"There is one thing I have to ask and you never gave me an answer. What is it you want with my bike? Do you want to take a ride on it?"

I hate doing this but, bump.