Sorrow of the Dead: Seeking Peace: Chapter 1, Visitors (IC)

[Charmera]

Blueville, Maine
Along a dusty road, up a broken path lies the St Margrets hospital of blueville maine. Though this is a path people seldom take, and often they don’t come back after walking down this road. As a result, the hospital rarely gets visitors, despite being a living piece of history with records over a hundred years old.

However, today the road was walked by four children. Tom, Mary, Sally and John seemed to wander up the road, bickering and taunting one another. Tom was nervous, yet curious. He wanted to see what was in this “cursed” hospital. Mary was the one who suggested their little trip to the hospital, being the adventurous and bold type. Sally was the quiet and shy type, mostly along for the ride as she had no idea what she was getting herself into. John was there because Sally was, and he was desperately trying to mask his mounting fear and concern behind a tough and rebellious façade.

As they reached the gates, they were all suitably impressed; gasping at the sheer size and grandeur of what they had heard was just some dinky old hospital. The hospital had gotten some upgrades before it was abandoned completely. Three buildings, one administrative, one main medical building and a closed off asylum area, all behind imposing iron gates.

Mary, not the type to hesitate, walked up to the gates, opening them. Surprised they weren’t locked. She looked to the others and motioned for them to follow her, which they did with some trepidation, eyes darting to every shadow.

Meanwhile, a single figure looked out the window at the hospitals newest sightseers, sighing slightly. Doc knew the children would be chewed out and spat out by this place if they weren't careful. Suddenly she looked again at them, adjusting her spectacles. “Odd… there's something different about.. these children…” She commented, clasping her hands and cocking her head. She then sighed. “Better make sure the others don’t get them.” She almost always spoke to herself, partly to keep herself sane. She walked down the stair, ready to guide the children away before nightfall, then things would get truly problematic.

[Saestea]

Barnaby Searight

Barney sat on the edge of the Administrative Building's roof, a place he was always seen on. He himself hadn't an idea as to why this place felt so right. Whenever he wasn't onto anything, he was drawn to this place. He had a feeling it was important to him, but he didn't know why. It made him cringe just thinking of reasons for it.

Here, this afternoon/evening, Barney noticed something different. The road along the front of the hospital complex brought an almost frightening sight. It wasn't that Barney was afraid of children. He was afraid of what could happen to them in this god-forsaken place. His eyes glazed over, he simply rose from his perch and looked down towards the gate as young Mary pushed it open. He sighed deeply, perturbedly, and moved along the eaves until he was standing over a broken window. It was once quite elegant, being tinted and all, but there was nothing left within the frame. The sill was nowhere to be seen either. It had fallen six stories into a hedge that was also once a beautiful flowering bush.

Barney adeptly dropped down, grabbing onto the edge of the roof. He didn't have to, but he didn't feel like doing it any other way. Climbing... It made him feel better. It was like a memory, but one he couldn't quite get a hold of. His legs hung over the ledge for a moment, but he swung into the window, landing on both feet in the derelict hallway. Shards of glass were strewn across the floor, benches were broken, and picture frames were on the floors, their paintings more than just a little faded. Barney walked along the hallways, appearing disinterested in the children making their way towards the hospital, but he was truly concerned of what might get them if he couldn't get them away in time.

Soon enough, he was up front, but out of view. He crouched behind a dead bush, observing the children. He was like that once, carefree... Daring... Stupid... They continued on towards the entrance, seemingly fearlessly, but Barney could feel how nervous they were. Then he wondered how they would react if he came forward and greeted them. He was currently having second thoughts, but his concern forced him out.
He stood up out of the bushes and crept up behind the four kids from behind. He was in a brown coat and short pants, looking exactly like he did years ago. "Hey," he called out, cupping a hand around one side of his mouth, "What're you fellas doing out here? It's supposed to be pretty dangerous in these parts."

[Palonitr and Howland]

Salazar

Salazar watched from the comfort of his shadows of the Administrative building. Seeing Barnaby Searight approach the children was a surpise, most spirits did not talk to mortals. They were more likely to scare them or worse, consume their souls. He felt compeled to watch the scene play out until he saw the wraith of Doc, one of his more favourite fellow spirits, she was or was that is? Being a spirit tended to make linguilistic problems for people said spirits. Anyways, she was about floating about and Salazar decided to go have some companionship.

He approached the Doc, "Hey Doc, how's immortality today? I see you've noticed the kids. Do you know that Barnaby has approached them" He stepped into the shadows as he spoke to her, finding comfort within them.

[Islamic Republic e Jariri]

The boy who was once named Tobias back when he was a member of the living had sensed the presence of four wandering souls. And they were children. They were not one of the dead which meant that they did not belong here. The others would come for them soon and likely scare them away. This wasn't the first time the hospital had visitors...

He didn't usually hurt children unless he was provoked otherwise. These four had done wrongs for which they were guilty for, but so did every other human being in the world. Tobias could see guilt and wrongdoings in every living individual and if he so wished he could force humans to feel the weight of it all. The last time he had done so was against an adult but he was willing to inflict it on any one of the living who approached him unwelcomed.

Staring out from the main medical ward he saw the four children going through the hospital gates. Surely they would be claimed by the others soon enough. He considered trying to scare them off or to simply forewarn them of what awaited them beyond those gates but then spotted Barnaby approaching them. Tobias himself moved forward, emerging near a non-functional fountain inside the front yard of the hospital, staring eerily at the four kids, his eyes narrowing slightly when Barnaby suddenly spoke to them. Silently he watched whatever was about to unfold from this spontaneous encounter these children were having with a spirit, if they even were aware that Barnaby wasn't one of the living.

[Charmera]

Barnaby Searight

Barney sat on the edge of the Administrative Building's roof, a place he was always seen on. He himself hadn't an idea as to why this place felt so right. Whenever he wasn't onto anything, he was drawn to this place. He had a feeling it was important to him, but he didn't know why. It made him cringe just thinking of reasons for it.

Here, this afternoon/evening, Barney noticed something different. The road along the front of the hospital complex brought an almost frightening sight. It wasn't that Barney was afraid of children. He was afraid of what could happen to them in this god-forsaken place. His eyes glazed over, he simply rose from his perch and looked down towards the gate as young Mary pushed it open. He sighed deeply, perturbedly, and moved along the eaves until he was standing over a broken window. It was once quite elegant, being tinted and all, but there was nothing left within the frame. The sill was nowhere to be seen either. It had fallen six stories into a hedge that was also once a beautiful flowering bush.

Barney adeptly dropped down, grabbing onto the edge of the roof. He didn't have to, but he didn't feel like doing it any other way. Climbing... It made him feel better. It was like a memory, but one he couldn't quite get a hold of. His legs hung over the ledge for a moment, but he swung into the window, landing on both feet in the derelict hallway. Shards of glass were strewn across the floor, benches were broken, and picture frames were on the floors, their paintings more than just a little faded. Barney walked along the hallways, appearing disinterested in the children making their way towards the hospital, but he was truly concerned of what might get them if he couldn't get them away in time.

Soon enough, he was up front, but out of view. He crouched behind a dead bush, observing the children. He was like that once, carefree... Daring... Stupid... They continued on towards the entrance, seemingly fearlessly, but Barney could feel how nervous they were. Then he wondered how they would react if he came forward and greeted them. He was currently having second thoughts, but his concern forced him out.
He stood up out of the bushes and crept up behind the four kids from behind. He was in a brown coat and short pants, looking exactly like he did years ago. "Hey," he called out, cupping a hand around one side of his mouth, "What're you fellas doing out here? It's supposed to be pretty dangerous in these parts."

While most mortals would not be able to see spirits, Mary turned to the see the small boy. Children could sometimes see spirits, but barely and only during the night. Mary and her friends seemed to be able to see Barney perfectly in the low light as the sun barely hung over the sky. She frowned, then smiled friendly "I could say the same to you. We just thought we'd take a look at this place... See if there really are any ghosts." She replied with a slight giggle as she led the rest of her friends even more forward. "So... What are you doing here then?" She then asked.

Salazar

Salazar watched from the comfort of his shadows of the Administrative building. Seeing Barnaby Searight approach the children was a surpise, most spirits did not talk to mortals. They were more likely to scare them or worse, consume their souls. He felt compeled to watch the scene play out until he saw the wraith of Doc, one of his more favourite fellow spirits, she was or was that is? Being a spirit tended to make linguilistic problems for people said spirits. Anyways, she was about floating about and Salazar decided to go have some companionship.

He approached the Doc, "Hey Doc, how's immortality today? I see you've noticed the kids. Do you know that Barnaby has approached them" He stepped into the shadows as he spoke to her, finding comfort within them.

"Evening Sal." She replied casually. It wasn't like formality mattered when you were dead. "Immortality... thats quite a glass half full way of looking at our condition..." She then continued walking, assuming the other spirit would follow. "Hopefully Barney won't scare them too much and we can actually see if we can guide them back the way they came. Who knowns what would happen if they encountered one of our more violent residents or the Lost..."

[Saestea]

Barnaby Searight

It was then that Barney knew he'd made a mistake. What a stupid question to ask them. If he couldn't get them out this way, he might have to... To scare them off. "There really are ghosts in this place." Barney admitted, taking his beret off. He walked up closer to them, wanting to grab one of them to pull them away. "I was, well... My pop's kind of... The caretaker around here, and I was just... On my way home..." he lied to Mary, looking nervous, but he hoped they couldn't tell. "He wouldn't want anyone gettin' hurt on his watch, so maybe... You should go. I can come with ya."

Barney couldn't bear to think of what the others might do to the children if they stayed any longer, but he really would have to frighten them if this way didn't work.

[Charmera]

Barnaby Searight

It was then that Barney knew he'd made a mistake. What a stupid question to ask them. If he couldn't get them out this way, he might have to... To scare them off. "There really are ghosts in this place." Barney admitted, taking his beret off. He walked up closer to them, wanting to grab one of them to pull them away. "I was, well... My pop's kind of... The caretaker around here, and I was just... On my way home..." he lied to Mary, looking nervous, but he hoped they couldn't tell. "He wouldn't want anyone gettin' hurt on his watch, so maybe... You should go. I can come with ya."

Barney couldn't bear to think of what the others might do to the children if they stayed any longer, but he really would have to frighten them if this way didn't work.

Mary narrowed her eyes slightly, frowning. Tom came up to her from behind, a nervous smile on his face. "Maybe we should go. I mean its not like theres much here at all..." He said. Mary seemed to almost consider leaving, then a creak from behind seem to interrupt them. The gate, behind them, seemed to close on its own, locking itself too. A regular occurrence, none of the spirits knew why, but the hospital would lock itself at night and would bar all exit from it. But this was far too early for the doors to lock themselves just yet.

This caused Mary to back up, having turned around to see the doors close. "Wha.. The doors... They closed by themselves." She turned to Barney. "What's going on?"

[Saestea]

Barnaby Searight

Barney sighed. "Dad's gon' be real mad." he said referring to his imaginary father, the caretaker. "I told you you... You shoulda left..." he shook his head, moving closer to the children. "This... Happens every night... You can't leave anymore."

He wasn't intending to scare the kids, but there wasn't much he could do. He only told the truth, that they couldn't leave, maybe not until the morning. Despite this, he was determined to keep watch over them, like a big brother. "Look, we need to get you fellas out. Like I said before, there's ghosts here. Some nasty ones, too." Barney wanted to assure them, but that would be another lie. He could remember someone telling him that lies were awful and got you sores on your mouth. He couldn't get them now, but the rule stuck like glue.

[Fesconia]

Amelia looked at the children with weary eyes through a window in the top floor of the medical building. She had been watching them solitarily ever since they entered through the hospital gates. She didn't see many people these days. Nobody ever ventured this close to the hospital, at least not regularly. Barnaby had walked up to them and appeared to be saying something, although she couldn't hear what it was from this far. Probably warning them to stay away.

She noticed the gates close and doors lock themselves soon after the kids had entered. It was time. Just like every other day, the doors had locked. She thought it seemed a little too early for them to close, but she didn't keep track of time anymore and so had no way of knowing. The clocks at the hospital had stopped working long ago, and she herself had lost track of how many days she had been dead for several years ago. They were trapped here for the night now that the gates had closed.

They seemed so lively and full of life, even though they seemed to be getting slightly scared now. Amelia couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy as she took her gaze away from the window and began to walk out the room to go downstairs. They seemed so happy compared to her. They had a whole life ahead of them, something she would never have. She wondered what would happen to them now that they would be here until morning. No living soul had ever stayed at the hospital overnight, much less children.

[Palonitr and Howland]

Salazar

"Well, the lost have been all hanging out by the basement unfortunately. I like the basement, always the darkest room out of them all. Shall I run you and Barns interferance? The lost would smell the fear from thebkids when night falls. I'll hold them off. Be careful though, I have seen some shifty human teenagers jumping over the gate for a few nights now. Probably doing drugs or having sex over at the old care taker's cabin. No other spirit other than I inhabit that part of the hospital. "

Salazar grunted as he had lost one of his favourite hangs for several nights in a row due to tge pesky teenagers. He hadn't had a gathering in days. The other spirits were somewhat dissapointed that he had not hosted his gatherings. All because of some horny teenagers, getting drunk and high

"It is about to be nightb time soon. I shall hold the Lost at bay. Go get those kids out Doc and hopefully we could have a gathering later on in my cabin."

Salazar rushed quickly to the basement entrance hallway. He heard their insane laughs and chatterings as he stepped into the shadows, readying his sycthe and facing the basement.

[Feichland]

Room A4
John was laying down on his rotting bed, when he sensed those 4 little "gremlins" as he called kids. He already knew some of the other ghosts were probably trying to help them. He sighed while standing up. He was 6' 10'', and one of the tallest in the hospital. He grabbed his old rifle, and ventured outside. Some of the other spirits hanging around outside his room made a run for it. They were scared beyond belief of him. Mostly due to the fact that he regularly scares them, probably to death if they were alive. He walked down the hall for a few minutes, his "hell-hole" was situated in the very back of the hospital. He is one of the oldest spirits in the area, and nearly every ghost, ghoul, and spirit can feel him coming out. Some of the other soldiers, from the World Wars back to the Civil War, moved in behind him, forming a line. As John rounded a corner, he slid into a room, losing the marching line. They continued up the hallway, and out of sight. He peeked out, and continued on.

[Charmera]

Salazar

"Well, the lost have been all hanging out by the basement unfortunately. I like the basement, always the darkest room out of them all. Shall I run you and Barns interferance? The lost would smell the fear from thebkids when night falls. I'll hold them off. Be careful though, I have seen some shifty human teenagers jumping over the gate for a few nights now. Probably doing drugs or having sex over at the old care taker's cabin. No other spirit other than I inhabit that part of the hospital. "

Salazar grunted as he had lost one of his favourite hangs for several nights in a row due to tge pesky teenagers. He hadn't had a gathering in days. The other spirits were somewhat dissapointed that he had not hosted his gatherings. All because of some horny teenagers, getting drunk and high

"It is about to be nightb time soon. I shall hold the Lost at bay. Go get those kids out Doc and hopefully we could have a gathering later on in my cabin."

Salazar rushed quickly to the basement entrance hallway. He heard their insane laughs and chatterings as he stepped into the shadows, readying his sycthe and facing the basement.

Doc sighed. "I suppose that's our only real option." She replied, before he left, "Be careful, their weaker than us, but there are much more of them. Don't let yourself get swarmed." She didn't know why she was so concerned. It wasn't like ghosts could permanantly die. They always rose again on the anniversary of their death. Still, she would like to have Salazar around for the night if possible.

The chattering continued around Salazar, seeming to get closer. Their voices were now audible, but barely comprehendible. However their intent was obvious... to kill anything and everything that wasn't one of them.

Barnaby Searight

Barney sighed. "Dad's gon' be real mad." he said referring to his imaginary father, the caretaker. "I told you you... You shoulda left..." he shook his head, moving closer to the children. "This... Happens every night... You can't leave anymore."

He wasn't intending to scare the kids, but there wasn't much he could do. He only told the truth, that they couldn't leave, maybe not until the morning. Despite this, he was determined to keep watch over them, like a big brother. "Look, we need to get you fellas out. Like I said before, there's ghosts here. Some nasty ones, too." Barney wanted to assure them, but that would be another lie. He could remember someone telling him that lies were awful and got you sores on your mouth. He couldn't get them now, but the rule stuck like glue.

Mary backed away, then nodded. Tom looked concerned. Sally whimpered nervously and John spoke up then. "Okay then. Do you know any other way out? You must know this place better than us."

Doc then opened the hospital doors, facing the children and Barney. She seemed to beacon them over. She also was looking around for any of the others she could enlist in keeping these kids safe. These living children would soon draw lost like beacons now that the sun was down.

[Saestea]

Barnaby Searight

"Well, ah don't know." Barney admitted, "I've never been locked in like this." he lied again. Even in this situation, he couldn't leave the kids alone. He knew there were other nice ghosts in the hospital, but he wondered why they weren't around at the moment. But just as he was thinking of that, Doc came out of the main building, motioning for them to come over. Barney sighed, relieved. He walked straight past the children towards Doc. He glanced back, waving for them to follow. "This way," he said looking around, "I'll explain things to you later... If I'm allowed to."

[Rygondria]

Vito Rossi
Vito straightened out his suit and checked his hair Even though he was dead he still wanted to look fashionable. He then heard a voices it was a group of kids he then said to himself," Hmm note to self scare those kids later. Why Because i am dead! What else do i have to do". He then put on sunglasses and said," Wait a minute why am i dead"? He then light a cigarette and said," Well lets take a walk shall we ..wait Where the fuck is my.. Oh there it is ha". then he started to walk around with a mobster walk with his hands in his pockets while humming hound dog.

[Charmera]

Barnaby Searight

"Well, ah don't know." Barney admitted, "I've never been locked in like this." he lied again. Even in this situation, he couldn't leave the kids alone. He knew there were other nice ghosts in the hospital, but he wondered why they weren't around at the moment. But just as he was thinking of that, Doc came out of the main building, motioning for them to come over. Barney sighed, relieved. He walked straight past the children towards Doc. He glanced back, waving for them to follow. "This way," he said looking around, "I'll explain things to you later... If I'm allowed to."

Doc greeted them, her face serious and very grave. "We don't have much time. We need to get them to the chapel." She spoke. For some reason, that chapel messed with the Losts sensing abilities. She noted to self to do more tests regarding holy things and their effects on spirits later. The kids seemed to nod, knowing this wasn't the time to argue or be afraid. She pointed out the small Chapel near the log cabin, the kids already moving their quickly as if there was an ice cream van packed beside the small church.

Doc moved near barney, wanting to speak to him out of earshot. "How much did you tell them?" she asked.

[Palonitr and Howland]

Salazar

Salazar keep his cool as the Lost slowly came up the stairs from the basement. He sensed that Doc and the others had entered the hospital building. He sighed, it was going to the a long and crazy night. He changed into his defensive stance as he saw the horde emerge. As menacing as they appeared, well they were not. They would be controlled by their desire for tge innicent souls of tge Children. He would use this to his advantage.

As the horde ran towards him, he had only one thought in his supernatural mind.
"I don't have get paid enough for this crap."
But in the end, he smiled and swung his sycthe and the Lost ghoul who ran to him first.
He bellowed out a war cry as he jumped into the fray. Hopefully, it would attract the more combat oriented Spirits who liked to fight the Lost.

[Saestea]

Barnaby Searight

Barney nodded, agreeing with Doc. He made sure no one was already creeping up while they weren't looking. He hated getting into scuffles with the Lost. He just really didn't like them. While Doc led the way towards the old chapel, Barney hung back so that he could fend off any attacking Lost sould; if they came.

"Not much, really." Barney shrugged at Doc's question when she approached later, far enough from the four children. "I just said I'd explain... What was going on."
Another lie, Barney...

[Charmera]

Barnaby Searight

Barney nodded, agreeing with Doc. He made sure no one was already creeping up while they weren't looking. He hated getting into scuffles with the Lost. He just really didn't like them. While Doc led the way towards the old chapel, Barney hung back so that he could fend off any attacking Lost sould; if they came.

"Not much, really." Barney shrugged at Doc's question when she approached later, far enough from the four children. "I just said I'd explain... What was going on."
Another lie, Barney...

Doc frowned. She could always sense when people were lying to her, especially kids. She was the resident spirit shrink, being the psychiatrist in her previous life. Or at least she assumed that much, all she ever managed to find of her old life was her diploma, and there was no guarantee it was really hers.

"Barney, don't lie. We need to know how much they know..." She said, continuing onwards.

Salazar

Salazar keep his cool as the Lost slowly came up the stairs from the basement. He sensed that Doc and the others had entered the hospital building. He sighed, it was going to the a long and crazy night. He changed into his defensive stance as he saw the horde emerge. As menacing as they appeared, well they were not. They would be controlled by their desire for tge innicent souls of tge Children. He would use this to his advantage.

As the horde ran towards him, he had only one thought in his supernatural mind.
"I don't have get paid enough for this crap."
But in the end, he smiled and swung his sycthe and the Lost ghoul who ran to him first.
He bellowed out a war cry as he jumped into the fray. Hopefully, it would attract the more combat oriented Spirits who liked to fight the Lost.

The ghoul was suddenly found himself completely frozen, his physical form incased in ice.

As the rest of the horde bellowed down on him, still having a ways to go before they reached the spirit, Salazar might feel a cold chill around him. A figure seemed to come out of nowhere and stand just behind the spirit.

"Fighting the lost, are we Sal?" Asked Miku, a cold and neutral expression on her face. "Let me guess, your trying to buy time for those kids to get to the chapel?" A cold smile on her face.

Afterwards, the rest of the lost rushed for the scythe wielding scarecrow. Miku did nothing as three of them attacked the spirit, not yet willing to act.

[Saestea]

Barnaby Searight

Barney sighed hopelessly, letting his head hang as he ran along. "Yeah, yeah, I'm sorry.."
"I told 'em that I was the caretaker's son... So I could get 'em out. But I was too late, I guess." he admitted to Doc, feeling the presence of the Lost moving around him. He cringed just at the thought of them. "I-I... Told them there was really ghosts here, too." he added, feeling embarrassed.

[Charmera]

Barnaby Searight

Barney sighed hopelessly, letting his head hang as he ran along. "Yeah, yeah, I'm sorry.."
"I told 'em that I was the caretaker's son... So I could get 'em out. But I was too late, I guess." he admitted to Doc, feeling the presence of the Lost moving around him. He cringed just at the thought of them. "I-I... Told them there was really ghosts here, too." he added, feeling embarrassed.

It was Doc's turn to sigh. But she smiled comfortingly as Barney told the truth. "That... complicates things." She replied, seeing the kids trying to open the chapel door. She picked up the pace a little and spoke in a lower voice. "If they leave, they could tell others about the spirits here... We'd get swarmed with ghost hunters and government goons... or worse, necromancers..." She nearly shuddered at the thought "We're going to have to handle this with some care..."

"Though for now my biggest question is how they can see us..." She said.

[Saestea]

Barnaby Searight

Only a few feet behind the kids, Barney slowed down and turned around. He was wondering what exactly the Lost were doing now. Being stupid, most likely. Like always.
He turned to to the four at the chapel doors. "Jeez... Relax, y'all." he told them in his distinct accent as he approached. "We'll... Take care of you..." he said to them, looking sideways at Doc. He was making things worse, but he wanted to make the kids feel safer around him.

Barney shrugged apologetically, honestly clueless as to what he was going to do about the mistake he'd made. The kids would tell, unless he found a way to fix what he'd done. He wanted to protect them, too. It was sort of an instinct to him. Perhaps he'd had a younger sibling before he died? Someone younger who was the target of brotherly love?

He returned to Doc a few seconds later, hoping he'd reassured the children. His glassy but compassionate eyes were on them all the time. "I... Don't know." he said softly, keeping his attention to Mary and her gang. "Maybe... No, never mind."

[Rygondria]

Vito continued his walk through the halls of the hospital. He was growing very bored as he said to himself," Damn i am so bored i wish i was still alive hmm maybe i could scare those kids nah later". He then continued his walk while humming his song as he walked near the basement.

[Charmera]

Barnaby Searight

Only a few feet behind the kids, Barney slowed down and turned around. He was wondering what exactly the Lost were doing now. Being stupid, most likely. Like always.
He turned to to the four at the chapel doors. "Jeez... Relax, y'all." he told them in his distinct accent as he approached. "We'll... Take care of you..." he said to them, looking sideways at Doc. He was making things worse, but he wanted to make the kids feel safer around him.

Barney shrugged apologetically, honestly clueless as to what he was going to do about the mistake he'd made. The kids would tell, unless he found a way to fix what he'd done. He wanted to protect them, too. It was sort of an instinct to him. Perhaps he'd had a younger sibling before he died? Someone younger who was the target of brotherly love?

He returned to Doc a few seconds later, hoping he'd reassured the children. His glassy but compassionate eyes were on them all the time. "I... Don't know." he said softly, keeping his attention to Mary and her gang. "Maybe... No, never mind."

Mary nodded nervously to Barney, Sally looked scared out of her wits, John was looking stoic and tough, but someone observant could tell it was an act, Tom looked somewhat agitated, looking to the sides where the lost were gathering. They all seemed to huddle near the door.

Doc smiled comfortingly. "Barney's right. Don't worry, we'll both make sure no harm comes to you." She said to them. They tried once more to open the door, managing to open the rusty chapel doors. They headed inside the old chapel, somewhat worn with age.

Spirits tended to avoid the chapel, mostly as it tended made them uncomfortable to think of an afterlife. Of course it different from spirit to spirit, but it still gave most of them the chills to think about "passing on".

Doc masked her uncomfortable feeling and herded the kids in. The turned to Barney. "You or I should probably gather the others, and also find Sal and help him finish off some of the lost... He's trying to buy us time, but now that the kids aren't attracting Lost, there should be be fewer for him to deal with now."

"I can go out if your wish, or if you prefer I could stay."

[Saestea]

Barnaby Searight

"Well... Not that I'm scared..." Barney reached to the back of his head to scratch, "But... I think I'd feel a lot better if I was watchin' the kids, y'know?" he told Doc, pointing to them at the aisle with his thumb. "Besides, I can't fight, and I don't want to run into one of those... Things."

He began taking steps backward, closer to the kids, but ready to move if in case Doc said for him to go. Barney made sure not to get too close enough to touch them because he wasn't sure of what his powers might do to them. It seems to have come with him when he died. It felt like a curse, but it felt very nice too when he touched flowers and they stayed bright and dandy, not that there were much flowers in the hospital, anyway.

[The United Confederacy of Texas]

Flesh.

This was what Daemon was thinking about as he saw the four children approaching the hospital. He was crouching near a window space in the Administrative Building, surveying the group. This space, however, was his usual spot: here was where he fell to his death.
Looking down, he could see where he and his friend Aiden fell, their bones still remaining.

Suddenly, his attention was caught by the children. Looking back, he could see someone approach them. It took him a couple of seconds to realize that the person was a Spectre. Come to think of it, he remember hearing the kid's name was Barnaby. Watching on, he saw Barnaby leading the kids inside. He grinned, his fangs showing as he could see the look of nervousness on some of their faces. 'Now this could be interesting,' he thought, thinking of their tastes should he catch them.

Unlike other spirits, the ferocious appetite of the Ghouls usually led to an decrease in morality, and as such, many Ghouls, such as Daemon, held no qualms over the deaths of either animals, humans, or even children. In fact, Daemon had long categorized the tastes of humans and children judging by physical means, like that of beef or pork: obese people usually were very salty, greasy, and overall too fatty for him. Meanwhile, healthier people were very muscly or stringy, and as such, were less enjoyable to eat. Finally, their were those who were in between, of course, were just right in taste and texture. However, he could not enjoy the tastes of other spirits, mainly due to the various levels of intangibility. The Lost, however, he enjoyed as a snack.

Walking back inside, he occasionally passed by the other spirits in the hospital, letting out a grunt or two. Suddenly, he heard the doors shut. He grinned once more: The hospital had decided to close, and the children will be stuck. 'Now to get to them before Doc reaches them,' he thought once more, as the mere thought of the spirit sent waves of disgust in his being. 'Always got to be the defender. Never letting us feast or enjoy this godforsaken purgatory.' As he reached the basement, he found an unusual sight: he saw a Scarecrow attacking a group of Lost, only to be frozen by Miku. He chuckled: Miku was probably the only other person as cold as he or the other Ghouls. Moving downwards, he pounced on one of the Lost, sinking his talons into it's flesh, his teeth reaching for the nape of it's neck...