The Supernatural Pre-Humans

***IMPORTANT NOTICE THIS SHORT STORY CONTAINS HINTS AND MILD DESCRIPTIONS OF VILENT CRIMES; AND OCCULT THEMES*****

INTRODUCTION

I've been working on the Occult Wars article series for The Supernatural PREHUMNS magazine for the past Four months. Ten unexplained deaths, and two grave robberies. All separate events, but deep down I know they're connected, I can feel in my gut. All ten deaths carry the markings of occult based murders. Although, the local authorities have ruled them as deaths by misadventures, or poor health conditions; using my stepfather's connections with the District Attorney I was allowed at each of the suspected crime scenes. Using my knowledge of the occult and my experiences from the Voodoo gang wars; it was easy to see that these so-called unexplained deaths were the results of high-level spell work. At each suspected crime scene I found the same sigils in the same arrangements. Each scene had talisman squares drawn somewhere on all walls of each room where the bodies were found. However, the most haunting connection between all ten deaths were the victims themselves. Each of the ten victims were either sex offenders, criminal bosses, or both. With all of that being said, one would think that those factors alone would be inspiration enough to complete a plethora of articles on the subject. That's the most uncanny part about all of this. Each time I go to work on the articles, I start to drift and eventually blackout; something that hasn't happened to me since I was first adopted as a kid. Everytime I wake up or come to from these blackouts I discover a new unexplained death; couple with visions surrounding the suspected crime scenes; as if I was there. Each time I've investigated these places the scenery matches exactly to my visions. The last two times that this has happened two grave robberies took place. At least that's what conventional media and authorities are calling them; but my visions say otherwise. So far my visions haven't been proven wrong; I refuse to start doubting them now.

ACT I

Taking a step back from writing her next article for the supernatural PREHUMNS magazine; the beautiful;yet at times mischievous Kelly Khan; prepared to go and visit the site of the second and most recent grave robbery in the city.

2 hours later …

Arriving at the the Han Sho cemetery on the outskirts of New Canton; the Chinatown of New Miskatonic County, Massachusetts; Khan stepped out of her sports car and walked towards the gathering of News reporters, state and county officials as well as Federal law enforcement. Making sure not to be noticed, Kelly began taking pictures of the site. Hiding behind various trees and even tombstones, to get the best shots possible; Kelly was determined to make the best article possible covering the story. After all the owner, ceo and founder of the magazine has agreed to make Khan a partner on the magazine; if sales increase after the most recent issue is released. Keeping the emotional pressure at the back of her mind; keeping her focus on the present moment, Kelly took a photo of the Tombstone of the empty grave. Returning behind the tree Kelly snuck her way back to her car; with the intentions of driving to the nearby gas station to examine the photos that she had collected. As she drove she glanced down to her digital device to see how many photos she had captured.

“Thirty six..good work Kels.”

Khan said to herself, pulling into the suburban gas station; parking it beside the gas station sub shop.

Looking through the thirty six photos on her device; Khan noticed on the photo of the tombstone a mysterious hooded figure in the distance. Zooming in on the photo to examine the figures closer; she noticed a familiar look regarding the figure. The mystery person appeared to be a brown skin, curly headed mixed race male, roughly in his late 20s to early 30s. Zooming the photo to maximum capacity Khan was shocked at what she saw next upon closely examining the mystery man. The shock was so great that Kelly dropped the digital device to the floor of her car.

ACT II

The entire lower half of the mystery man in Kelly's photo; as well as his arms, were transparent. In addition to this shocking factor; Kelly has seen the same young man in her dreams since her first blackout experience as a child. The crossroads moment presented Khan with the following options; that she verbally expressed to herself.

“Okay….Okay Kels…how you wanna do this?”

Khan affirmed to herself taking a deep breath; to focus, center herself and make a decision that would be true to her innermost true self: as well as not hinder her budding career as a writer.

“Do we wanna keep what we got turn in the article…then find out who the mystery man is…or do we find who the mystery man is and risk losing a position we worked 5 years to get on the table?”

Said Khan to herself questioning her options. On one hand she has the tabloid story of a lifetime and the other evidence that her first crush was a living reality and still present in her life. The hopelessly romantic side of Kelly's personality weighed heavily on her proverbial scales. However, Kelly's independent nature couldn't not risk the chance of being a partnering editor for the most successful occult themed magazine in the country. Kelly laid her digital device on her lap; took another deep and calming breath, grasped her steering wheel, lowered her head, resting her forehead on the steering wheel and exhale slowly in an almost sensual energy. Khan instinctively pulled her sports car out of its parking space and began driving back to her apartment. On her way back across the city limits, back into New Canton, she received an alert from her mobile device; via Bluetooth connection that a text message was sent to her from the editor and chief of The Magazine. Opting to have the text message spoken through her car speakers, the display on her car began to play.

“The Magazine Art Director will call contact at 3 pm.”

Said the message via the text to speech Bluetooth feature. Looking at the clock, Kelly saw that it was exactly 2pm; and she was 3 minutes away from her apartment. She had no idea as to who the Magazine's Art director was; nor the method of contact to be used. Knowing the Editor and Chief; if he knew the answers to those questions; she would have informed her. One thing for certain; Casilda Song editor and Chief is a very thorough and thoughtful business woman. The feeling of anxiety rushed through Khan’s body as her heart began racing in anticipation.

ACT III

After arriving at her apartment above the Mei Fun Money noodle bar; Khan immediately took a shower to both gather her thoughts and energy; as well as to be prepared if the Art Director wanted to meet in person. Upon showering and changing her clothing to casual business; Khan felt more grounded and in a working mindset. Picking up her mobile device to check the time and stay on top of her game; she saw that it was exactly 2:45 pm. Sitting down a the desk of her home office; Kelly opened her laptop, turned on her desktop computer and began uploading the photos from the cemetery.

2:58pm

As the final fifteen of the thirty six photos were backed up and saved to folders. There was a knock at her apartment door. Getting up from the office chair, taking her mobile device with her; Kelly walked to the door. Looking at the time on her mobile device the clock had just turned from 2:59 pm to 3:mp sharp. Looking through the peep hole of her door while placing her hand on the lock of the door; she focused her eye to see the visitor knock at the door. Once again the sense of shock flooded her senses; her adrenaline surged, but a the same time the feeling of a deep confirmation hovered over the situation.

“Come on …this can't be real …are you serious?”

Kelly whispered to herself as she turned away abruptly from the peep hole, lowering her face in her hand; as the gently firm knocking at the door continued.

“I don't know what to do. “

Khan again whispered to herself; in total amazement from the identity of the one knocking at the door. It was as if the cosmos heard her inner dialogue at the gas station. Her crossroads moment had just come full circle. The person knocking at her door, was none other than, the mystery man from the photos of the cemetery, the hooded guardian that has kept her dreams from becoming haunting nightmares.