Eerie, Indiana fanfiction: Upgrade

[froodle]

Written for Day 26 of the 31daysoffandom October challenge. The prompt I used for this one was "gone (horribly) wrong"



The young pine trees lining the path up to the Eerie Library had been wrapped with multi-coloured Christmas lights some years before, and had never been removed. Now most of the bulbs had burned out and what had once been a cascade of twinkling festive illumination was an ominous steadily pulsing of crimson light that turned the coniferous trees into looming black shadows, spiky and threatening as they flashed rhythmically over the pale grey paving stones that lead to the pillared portico that sheltered the library’s front door.

Townspeople milled about between the patches of darkness, their faces rendered threatening by the strange red light. The mortar board hats they wore cast their eyes into shadow and the malfunctioning Christmas lights turned their teeth pink in the gaping black caverns of their mouths and the stuffed owls mounted in the centre of their headwear swung and danced as though possessed of independent life.

On a hastily-erected wooden platform set back from the looming bulk of the main building, a lectern stood in the middle of a raised dais. A muffled rustling echoed through speakers mounted over the stage as the chill autumn wind shook the microphone where it lay. Mayor Chisel stepped easily over the small set of stairs leading up to the stage, accompanied by a whine of feedback and a sudden burst of cacophonous horns as the Eerie Voluntary Brass Band belatedly caught their cue.

“People of Eerie,” the Mayor declaimed, throwing his arms wide and making the black silk of his ceremonial robes ripple dramatically, as was his theatrical wont. “I am proud to announce the grand re-opening of Eerie’s public library, following an extensive remodelling and modernisation project undertaken thanks to the generosity of the Eerie-Yoshizaki Consortium in conjunction with our youngest citizens.” Here he nodded at a cluster of hollow-cheeked preteens who sat behind him on the small stage, their complexions pallid, their eyes bright with the febrile hunger of the recently-soulless.

The assembled throng clapped politely, their gazes fixed on the Mayor in order to avoid the falling sensation a person experienced if they should stare too long at the de-souled children. One or two of the more enthusiastic audience members cheered, and were messily but rapidly devoured by the roving knowledge spirits in attendance.

Marshall and Simon watched the proceedings from the edges of the crowd, sipping on the free spiced punch that had been distributed to attendees earlier in the evening.

“We should probably have done the right thing and tried to stop this, huh?” said Simon.

“Are you kidding?” said Mars. “I’ve been on the waiting list to check out the Sorcerer’s Bible for three years now. This re-vamp is going to triple their Occult section, that’s what I heard.”

Simon looked sceptical.





Trusted Associates, Inc.

Halloween by froodle, in which Mars and Simon celebrate a Von Orloff-free All Hallows Eve

Surprise by froodle, in which Mars tries to make sure Simon's birthday goes a little better this year

The Glade by froodle, in which Simon and Mars visit a place that only exists on February 29th

Egg Hunt by froodle, in which Simon and Mars partake of some traditional Easter activities

Boardwalk by froodle, in which Simon and Mars are swayed by radio advertising

Lady in Red by froodle, in which Simon experiments on the old-fashioned radio in the Secret Spot, and horror ensues

Waiting In by froodle, in which there is an ice-storm and a handyman does not arrive

Seafoam by froodle, in which Simon and Marshall go to the seaside

A Night at the Circus by froodle, in which a carnivale comes to town, and Marshall and Simon do not enjoy themselves

Taking a Break by froodle, in which Simon and Marshall enjoy some much-needed R&R

Model Railway by froodle, in which a new business prepares to open in Eerie

Shoreline by froodle, in which Simon and Marshall investigate strange happenings on the shores of Lake Eerie

Parade by froodle, in which Mars takes issue with the Eerie Beekeepers Association's choice of mascot

Homestead by froodle, in which Marshall finally gets something useful out of shop class

Hound by froodle, in which Simon makes a friend

Errands by froodle, in which Simon has a to-do list

Slyboots by froodle, in which a certain corporal of the infernal regions comes to Eerie. Crossover with Johannes Cabal the Necromancer.

Waterlogged by froodle, in which Eerie experiences heavy rainfall

Festival by froodle, in which Eerie's local businesses celebrate the summer

Strawberry by froodle, in which there is unauthorised hubbub in Eerie

Wildlife by froodle, in which Simon and Marshall go to the beach

Facilities by froodle, in which the Eerie Bus Station and Supper Club has a problem with the men's toilet

Anticipation by froodle, in which Simon and Harley look forward to the Equinox

Castle by froodle, in which there is unexpected architecture in Eerie

Visitor in which Marshall's grandma comes to stay

Euclid by froodle, in which Marshall and Simon investigate strange events at the Eerie Cemetery

The Hut by froodle, in which Simon takes on the forces of Eerie solo

Comments

[eviinsanemonkey.livejournal.com]

Sometimes I wonder about Marshall's priorities...

love the atmosphere here, as usual.

[froodle]

He just reeaaaallllly wants to read that bible!

[deifire]

Again, I have to love Marshall's priorities here!

[froodle]

Three years tho!