[h2][b][i][color=008000][center]In This Fine Town Of Arkham[/center][/color][/i][/b][/h2]
[h3][b][i][color=008000][center]A Night At Wilde Hall[/center][/color][/i][/b][/h3]
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[center][img]https://s3.eu-central-1.wasabisys.com/devonilx7/2020/04/forest_path_dark_150398_1920x1080-1536x864.jpg[/img][/center]
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[center][b]"The oldest and strongest emotion of mankind is fear, and the oldest and strongest kind of fear is fear of the unknown"[/b] - [i]H. P. Lovecraft[/i][/center]
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[center][@Prosaic][/center]

The dark figure still didn't move from the ground, the wild eyes watching [b][color=7ea7d8]Simon Hart[/color][/b] for a moment, before the face twisted into a smile, and barking laughter echoed down the alleyway. Simon was suddenly painfully aware of how dark the alleyway was, and how far he was from the relative safety of the lit street. With the words of the madman still in his mind, and the manic laughter ringing in his ears, he turned, quickly retracing his steps. 

	Stepping through the scattered trashcans, Simon pushed on, still catching his breath. The chase had been impulsive, reckless even, but it had been worth it. The words were still turning in his head, his mind racing to piece them together. It wasn't enough though. Even as he had been listening to the warning, he had known that it was only sparking his curiosity more. He had a piece of the puzzle, but to truly cut to the heart of it, then he had no choice but to ignore the madman's warning, and venture into the Wilde Woods, and into Wilde Hall itself. 

	Stepping out of the alleyway, Simon glanced along the street. The two figures that had been waiting there the last time he stood at the mouth of the alley were gone, as was the carriage itself, the jaws of the Wilde Woods not even more shrouded in shadow. But he was not alone. Even as he watched, a tall, well-built man came down the street, clearly making his way towards the edge of the Wilde Woods. Before Simon could call out, or do anything to try and catch his attention, a shape detached itself from the shadows, revealing itself as a slender woman as it stepped into the half-light. 

	For the second time, Simon seemed to be arriving at the gathering late, but this time, there was no madman to distract him, and the clock was ticking. Perhaps now was the time for Simon to start meeting the other guests.