The nightmares started the very first evening they moved into the house. A tense silence settled amongst its new occupants. Exhaustion and anxiety lulled them into a deep sleep even as most of their belongings remained boxed or in the moving van parked outside in the driveway. It was better thought to retire to their separate rooms even in their state to current disarray than allow the stress of the move get too overheated-especially between Paul and his father.
Paul feel onto his bed and tossed restlessly for a long while before lapsing into sleep. It was deep and briefly devoid of dreams but suddenly he found himself being drawn from his bed, through the door, down the hall, down the stairs and standing pensively at the threshold of the basement, gazing down at the wooden steps that disappeared into the impenetrable darkness. A chilling wind blew upward and he realized that he was nude but it did not alter his curiosity of the force which seemed to beckon him downward. He slowly descended the steps and was consumed in the shadows.
He moved carefully, advancing with caution, groping blindly, but was then drawn to a sliver of light seeping out from beneath a door. The bare concrete floor sent a ripple of chills up his spine. His eyes had adjusted to the dark as best they could but he was still quite blind. He reached the door and turned its knobs. It was very old, caked by a thick patina of dust. The door opened only once he had applied his weight to it.
Beyond was a room which was illuminated by wavering candle light which bathed everything in an eerie subdued light. Within stood several figured in dark cloaked robes. They encircled a platform which dominated the center of the small space. Paul's presence was only briefly ignored but they turned simultaneously to look at this intruder in their ceremony. The faces were mostly hidden and he could not tell whether they were young or old, male or female.
They silent parted and he saw the platform without obstruction. It was an altar. Ornately designed with ghastly demonic faces carved in some form of stone unfamiliar to him with words written in some ancient text. At the head of the alter stood a man in a red robe. He beckoned Paul closer. He now saw a figure stretched out on the altar. It was a girl, her hands and feet bound, legs held open wide. Suddenly as if it were a photograph coming into focus Paul realized the girl bound to the altar was his sister Lucy, struggling in vain with her restrains. Her eyes were wide with fear until she saw her brother now standing over her and momentarily relaxed and felt she was to rescued from her captors and be released from her torment.
The small congregation began to chant. It was a single word: KARSWELL. It echoed chillingly off of the rough stone walls and filled Paul's head. It initially made him dizzy, lightheaded, and then intoxicated him. He was becoming very aroused by the sight of Lucy and her slim naked body. He was aware of his erection and seemed unashamed of it.
The red-robed one stood and merely observed everything. It was obvious that he was the leader of the group. The continued chanting the word, increasing in volume, echoing in his head. Paul saw the face of the leader as it turned upward and was now staring at him. It was an ancient face, white and fleshless as a skull. The dark sunken eyes were illuminated by a malignant source. It chilled Paul to the very marrow of his bone but still he felt no desire to turn and flee. He again turned his attention to Lucy, running his fingers over the length of her body. He felt the flesh twitch and quiver under his touch.
"I have waited so long for such delicious sinners to enter my home," said the leader. "I feel my liberation from this prison at hand."
