I seem to remember a famous proverb from H.P Lovecraft, The oldest and strongest emotion of mankind is fear, and the oldest and strongest kind of fear is fear of the unknown. Why had brought this up is because the surrounding of myself had become unfamiliar overnight-
That is to say, I seem to have come into the world setting of H.P Lovecraft. How did I come to know this, you might ask? That is because of the building i have arrived to in front of me and the city in which I have arrived. I feel a slight tingle of a headache as I begin to think of how this was possible and want nothing more than to escape the new reality that I have come to find myself in.
On the outside, It merely seems like another university you can find somewhere in America. However, I couldn't feel the same way as that description because this university is the place of many protagonist in Lovecraft's world comes from. Randolph Carter, Titus Crow, Henry Armitage to name a few that I knew and heard of. Right now, according to the calendar it was the year 1928.
Well, Let's not dawdle any further and go in.
As I go into the university, the only way that I can describe the Architecture is rather ancient but also has a modern university atmosphere. This is what I had somewhat expected from the famed Miskatonic University in the world setting of H.P Lovecraft. Walking the halls, I feel eyes fall on me from everywhere. Looking around, I would be blind if I hadn't notice the crowd of students staring at me so blatantly and I would be deaf and foolish if I wouldn't take a moment to listen on their hushed conversation, practically dying from curiosity.
"Hey, isn't that Alan? wasn't he part of that research project lead by that Professor William Harris? "
"He seems to be doing alright today, but how come? I heard every member in the research project all killed themselves last night."
"The professor was found in his office, hanged from the ceiling. The others died in similar fashion, whatever would've caused them to that to themselves?"
"Well, I'm not going to play detective and possibly get involved in something dangerous"
were what a group of boys had spoke to each other about in a hush tone. This reminded me of what I saw last night in my room. Red blood all over the floor and the bed was half drenched in them, there were splatters on the desk and wall. A revolver was at my right- it is still as I stored it in my pocket, hoping it doesn't suddenly shoot through my leg as I walk and the last page of that ominous journal, which I keep in my bag. The police actually came to the house that I had stayed in this morning as I had finished cleaning up and getting rid of the evidence by burying the bed with sheets and all in a 6 foot hole I had dug up and fill back in.
Flashback -
As I finished burying the evidence (metaphorically and literally) it had become 7:30 am in the morning. I came back to my house as I was about to brew some tea to drink and recollect my mind. I would then hear the knocking at the door and a voice of a man conversing with a woman.
"Miss Aria, what are the chances that this one will end up the same as the others?"
"Quite high, considering that 5 from the same research group died inexplicably. Be ready to knock down the door if there's no response."
As I hear this conversation, I moved my feet quick and loud to let them know someone was hurrying to get the door. As I opened them I was met with a policeman and the detective both wearing an expression which I can only describe as shock and then followed by suspicion from the officer, as for the detective if she was suspicious of me, She hide her expression well and she was the first to break the awkward silence with an introduction
"Good morning, we would like to speak with the owner of this house, Mr Alan Quin. My name is Aria Carter and this is Office Morris Pens. We're here on official business."
Spoke the detective, her voice is clear and melodic like a church bell and calm demeanor which she gives would relax anyone she talks to. She had an appearance that I feel a sense of incongruity to the life I had lived before waking up in this one. She had a face which I found attractive. She had an oval shape face with a slight sharp chin, her nose had a subtle groove which made her look young and sharp, her sharp amber gaze gave me the impression that she could see through me and flowing platinum blonde hair as if there was a river of sunlight coming from her head. If it were any other world setting I would think that she is the heroine of that world.
"Good morning Detective and Officer, You're talking to him right now. What business do I owe to the both of you?" I say as I try to remain calm. There were many things I don't know in this world, even though I am aware of the dangers of the outer gods. I am still unaware of the situation I am in, like the true nature of the research that I had inexplicably been a part of.
" We'd like to ask you some questions regarding our investigation....Mr Quin, are you aware that your Professor was found dead in his Office?" The words that left the detective's mouth made me hang in a pause for a moment as shock settles in hearing the news, I had wanted to meet the Professor to ask for information, but it seems it won't be possible.
"Please, come in." I decided that there was no need to make them stand outside, since it seems that I am now related to a crime, I should show that I am innocent quickly.
Inside, we all sat in the living room. I had let them sat at the couch together, my eyes turn and scan Officer Morris Pens. He was a man who seems to be reaching his late 20s or early 30s, contrasting with the youthful and beautiful Detective Aria Carter who seem to be in her early 20s at least. He wore the blue policeman uniform that I recognize from this period. He was also married, with the ring at his hand.
"Before you ask, I am sorry.. It's the shock is settling in. Can you tell me more about the circumstance of the professor's death? He was my professor, and we had a very close relationship...." I didn't lie, using whatever memory that surfaced into my head when I think of his name. Feelings of gratitude and closeness to the man wells up, actually If it hadn't been for the professor I don't think I would've had this house when I came over and it was basically free of rent, instead he let me pay with my hard work on the research project which I cannot seem to remember.
"The professor was found hanged in his office at the university, for now we think it was suicide." Officer Morris chime in and explained.
What a terrible thing to have happened. The professor didn't deserve that kind of fate. As I lament the lost of the professor, both as a kind person who have supported me and the person who might've known what happened to me.
"And your other colleagues, Andrew, Petter, Mikhail and Claire, were also found in their home and seemed to have died of different causes." The officer continue to add to my shock and dismay. I despaired just thinking of their cause of death, although the Officer didn't voice it. It was obvious on how they all died and those lines which I remember from the book seem to resonate deeply in my soul.
Everyone will die, Including me.
Those ominous and foreboding word kept resonating in my mind as I become silent and still without even knowing. What had happened? What did we find for it to come to this? And why am I here, in the body of Alan Quin? I mean, I am just a man who liked to read books in my spare time and chat with people online. Now I am here in this world of utter horror without special abilities or know anything that is remotely useful.
"Mr Quin, you're close to your colleagues is that right? do you know the why they all had died?" As Detective Aria asked me that question, I couldn't help but flinch. I try to hide it and look at her reaction, if she had noticed she hadn't reacted to it. It's quite unsettling.
" No, we all worked together well. But I am not that close to know their private life. If... it had to be something, then it might've been related to the research." I replied honestly.
"What have you been working on and why did you think so?" the question that came from Detective Aria made me silent for a moment as I sweat at the thought of how to answering that. The memory of the entire thing are hazy at best, but....
"We have been investigating....history, a set of papers that we found had rediscovered within the Library. The entire thing is hazy to me. Hadn't you checked the professor's journal? we all kept one for our personal record, sadly for me. My journal was lost on my way back home that night. As for the reason why I have come to that conclusion is that the atmosphere of the final day of the project was quite tense, we were all horrified of something that I can no longer recollect. " Perhaps that was a good thing for me, But I didn't voice out the last part. "If any Truth to be found, I believe It would've been with Professor William." I added and to which I hope that would divert suspicion from me. However, this did leave the question of why they had died unanswered. It's not like I want to hide anything, I swear!
"You mentioned that everyone kept a journal yes? and Professor William also keep one?" The detective asked in which I would reply with "Yes, He does. His journal is maybe one of the most sophisticated and informative book detailing the subject of the research." After answering that, I must've made the most bewildering expression when I heard what she had said next.
"Then if that is the case, wouldn't you like to cooperate with us on this case? At this moment, we also require someone to guide us to his office from the library." What a cheap way to say that 'you're suspicious, so we're going to keep an eye on you, Detective Aria'. After that I comply with her.
Present -
After exploring the university for 10 minutes, I look towards the structure that stands in the distance in front of me. The Orne Library, three story building that was destroyed once in 1878 due to circumstances that no one knows at this time, and is a treasure trove of books and history of New England.
As a student of English and Classical languages, I enjoyed my work as translator and interpreter for Professor William and his research project, at least that was what I remembered from Alan Quin's memory. It is truly a strange and eldritch feeling, transmigration.
As I walk to approach the library after admiring it from afar, I would arrive in front of the library alone. Putting my hand on the door to turn it open, I felt a sudden and dangerous chill throughout my entire body. My body and My instincts told me to run from this place, it is dangerous! It was likely the smarter choice, however running away would mean that I have to deal with potential jail time from being arrested, I bite my lip and tasted blood. I stood my grounds as a liquid of some kind seems to leak from under the gaps of the door. unable to move, the liquid would under my shoes, and then the liquid which seem to have turned alive would wrap itself at my feet, I could feel my consciousness began to sink into a depths and my perception of the surrounding blur.
Just as I was about to sink towards the dark and endless depths, my consciousness would be pulled back so quickly that I reeled backwards. I look around and saw a hand on my shoulder, It was a face I never thought I'd be glad to see. Officer Morris Pens and Detective Aria Carter has arrived and saved me!