The Writing on the Wall

Steve Hatherley

The symbols and half-letters scrawled messily on the wall are not from any recognisable language. They look like the drunken attempts of a lone vandal, and are not particularly remarkable. Except for one thing: they appear elsewhere. On lorries and trains, schools and churches. In the country, in town. On sheds and walls, windows and signs. Usually in paint, and once or twice in blood.

Possibilities

1 The symbols indicate the borders of a small but rapidly growing cult. As they spread alarmingly from town to town the symbols spread with them.

2 The 'ley lines' of old are now too weak for the Lloigor to use as energy sources. But, in this age of technology, there are other sources - electricity and telephone cables. The Lloigor have implanted messages into sleeper's brains, forcing them to daub the symbols across the country. They are eventually translated to form an artificial intelligence algorithm. The algorithm hides in the computer system and 'encourages' the construction of new cables. These form circles of power the Lloigor can absorb and begin their return to power.

The Writing on the Wall - artwork by Steve Hatherley

3 The symbols (written by sleepwalkers) originate from a long forgotten language. Eventually they are translated to form one word. 'Rejoice.' What does it mean? Is it a sign from God?

Then, a second word: 'for.' Then 'He,' followed by 'is' and 'coming.'

'Rejoice for He is coming.' But who?

Steve Hatherley is the creator of Tales of Terror, and has written for both Chaosium and Pagan Publishing. He also has a number of other websites, including www.great-murder-mystery-games.com and www.mylowerbackpain.com.

Steve lives in Yorkshire, England.

Click here to see Steve's other Tales of Terror.