THOMAS HOME

Blake Thomas unlocked the front door to his old home and found Vincent Moore pacing in the living room. There were no lights on in the house since the electric and water bills hadn't been paid in months. Blake was startled, however, to find Vince inside the house.

"How did you get in here?" Blake demanded.

"I snapped my fingers and unlocked the door from the outside," Vince answered.

"Oh…right," Blake said. "I forgot."

"It's fine," Vince replied. "Look, we've got a big problem. Something is going down, and I think it might be tonight."

"Tonight?"

"I was talking to Antonio and he went into some type of fugue state," Vince explained. "When I touched him…all of these memories started spilling into me about him and about some demon named Zaliphyr. Does that ring a bell?"

"No…" Blake said.

"He was responsible for Damon Johnson's murder," Vince said. "Things are still kind of muddy, but I'm pretty sure I have memories of him murdering Damon."

Blake took a deep breath, realizing that Vince now had access to the memories of the demon that coerced him into killing Damon. If those memories ever became perfectly clear, Vince would know that he was wrong and have a front row seat to Blake slitting Damon's throat on Thanksgiving last year.

"What's going on tonight?"

"Zaliphyr has been screwing with Antonio's mind, and he knows that I know," Vince said. "Something major is going to be happening tonight…in a cave."

"A cave?"

Julia stood in her bedroom at her own home, the portable phone in her hands. She placed the phone back on its stand and turned to the person standing next to her.

"I tried to tell her," Julia said.

"Just make sure it happens the way I said it was supposed to."

"I will," Julia replied. "I'll make sure that Akilah makes Alec Bale her boyfriend. One way or another."

"Good," Zaliphyr grinned.

"We've got a detour to make," Vince said.



BALE HOME

Robert Bale unlocked the door to his home and walked inside, where he found Felicia in the living room resting on the couch with a book. Her wheelchair was next to the couch in case she needed to get somewhere.

"Robert," Felicia said, glancing up. "What do you want? I thought everything of yours was moved out."

"For the most part," Robert said. "I just…I brought these papers by for you to look at."

Robert held up a folder for Felicia to see, and brought it to the couch. He sat on the opposite end and handed the papers to Felicia.

"They're a part of the divorce proceedings," Robert said.

Felicia grimaced as she opened the folder, but forced herself not to show her feelings in front of Robert. He didn't deserve to feel vindicated, and he certainly didn't deserve to attempt to comfort her either.

"Thank you," Felicia said. "Do you have a pen?"

"You don't…want to look them over?" Robert asked.

"No, I'd rather you leave as quickly as you came," Felicia insisted, taking the pen Robert offered and quickly signing all of the pages in the folder. Once she was done, she thrust the pages in Robert's direction and turned away from him. "Is that all?"

"That's…that's it," Robert said.

"Thank you," Felicia said. "Goodbye."

"Is Alec here?"

"No, he went to see a friend."

"Well…then I'll leave," Robert said, starting toward the door. "I'm sorry things had to end up this way, Felicia."

"I'm not," Felicia replied, picking up where she left off in her book.

Once Robert exited the house, he locked the door and started toward the street. Parked at the corner of the driveway was Valerie Hanley-Holden, wearing a dark pair of sunglasses. She had chosen to dive herself to the Bale house rather than have her chauffeur take her.

Robert paused when he reached the vehicle and handed the folder to Valerie.

"It's all done, then?" Valerie asked.

"Yes," Robert said. "Felicia just signed away her entire Hanley inheritance."

"Perfect," Valerie said. "You've done a great thing here, Robert."

"I know," Robert said softly. "I just wish Felicia knew that."



RONARR'S CAVE

"I should kill you for your insolence," Ronarr said, glaring at Antonio who was now standing before him. But it wasn't Antonio he was speaking to, it was Zaliphyr, who now had full possession of Antonio's body at his discretion.

"I am terribly sorry my lord," Antonio said. "There was nothing I could do to prevent Vincent Moore from discovering our plans. My possession of Antonio negatively affected me and trapped me in a trance-like state."

"Well, now that my best-laid plans are out in the open, what do you propose?" Ronarr demanded.

"We follow through as planned," Antonio responded. "Only we start tonight."

"Tonight?"

"Why not," Antonio said. "We're more than prepared. All we need do is perform the ritual to bring you and all those in your kingdom forth."

Ronarr smiled. "All of the dead."

"All of the dead of Marquette Cove will walk once more," Antonio said.



BUN SHACK

"Have a nice day," Jessica Reyes said, handing a bag filled with cheeseburgers and fries to a customer. The customer thanked her and left, leaving Jessica and Stephanie Collins alone at the counter to talk amongst themselves.

Jessica was busy working at the Bun Shack, though she had arrived ten minutes late due to her AIM conversation with Alec. He wanted to come over and see her, but she remembered that she had to go to work and signed off.

Now Jessica was slaving away behind the counter with Stephanie, who had grown sick of her job at the Bun Shack in the four months she had been working there all summer.

"This is so boring," Stephanie muttered. "I don't know why my dad wants me to work here. I couldn't have gotten a job at Nordstrom?"

"Marquette Cove doesn't have a Nordstrom," Jessica reminded her.

"See? That's why people hate this town," Stephanie said, laughing. "All of this character building is tiresome and irritating. And I come home smelling like grease and hot dogs and burgers and tacos. I don't even know why we sell tacos at a place called the Bun Shack, but that's the least of my concerns."

"Don't worry, girl," Jessica said. "The summer's almost over, and you can quit this dead end job."

"What about you?" Stephanie asked.

"I can't…really afford to," Jessica said.

"Oh, I'm sorry! I completely forgot."

"No, it's fine," Jessica reassured her. "Besides, we have a new customer coming in that we need to join forces to defeat."

"Ah, a customer," Stephanie asked.

The customer, as it turned out, was Timothy Black. He was one of the few friends that Stephanie had made this summer, seeing as how they were both new to Marquette Cove. He approached the counter and smiled at Stephanie.

"Did you come here for a pie, sir?" Stephanie asked, in a sing-song voice.

"Stephanie," Jessica whispered, stifling a laugh.

"No, it's fine," Stephanie insisted. "Tim and I are friends."

"Really?" Jessica asked. "You hang out with attractive guys?"

Stephanie smirked. "Cute, sister. What's up, Tim?"

"Can I get an Uber Taco?" Tim asked.

"You're doing this on purpose, aren't you?" Stephanie demanded.

"Possibly," Tim said. "But you'll never know."

"I suppose not," Stephanie said. "One Uber Taco coming up. I'll bring it to you in a second."

"Thanks," Tim said, heading for a table.

"What was that?" Stephanie asked, turning back to Jessica.

"What was what?" Jessica demanded.

"Are you into Tim?"

"I don't know," Jessica said. "I mean…he is kind of cute. But I'm dating…actually, I'm boyfriend-free for the moment."

"Then you should ask him out," Stephanie suggested. "He's new in town. He could use someone to show him around…like you."

Jessica grinned and looked at Tim, who was fiddling with ketchup packets at a table near a window. She brushed a strand of hair out of her eyes to get a better look and then turned back to Stephanie.

"Hmmm…maybe I will," Jessica said.

Michael Hanley walked through Emerald Square, searching desperately for Sean Moore. He and Dr. Victor Collins had been preparing Sean for relocation, but he unfortunately escaped from the mansion and now Michael had to find him before someone else from Sean's past recognized him and ruined Michael's plans.

"Hell and damnation, nothing is going right for me this summer," Michael sighed, pausing to let Victor catch up with him.

"Don't worry, sir," Victor reassured him. "We'll find Sean before anyone else does."

"You'd damn well better hope we do," Michael said. "Otherwise it's your head that will be on a silver platter."

"Things have been very tough for you this year, haven't they? One of your friends died recently, and your mother nearly died as well," Michael said.

Vince frowned and glanced down at Michael's desk.

"Yeah, she did," Vince responded weakly.

"When is she coming home?"

"In September," Vince replied. "Maybe earlier. But that's a long way from now."

"Eleven months. Not that far away," Michael said.

"I guess not."

"Vince, I know that our families have had their share of difficulties with each other in the past, but I wanted to speak with you privately to let you know that I wish the best for you and your family."

"Thank you. I appreciate it."

"The next three years are going to be very tough for you."

Vince's eyes widened when Michael made that comment. "What do you — what do you mean by that?"

"I won't allow my plans for you to end tonight, Vincent," Michael said. "I won't."

"Perhaps we should split up," Victor said.

"Fine," Michael snapped. "Keep your phone on."

Victor nodded and turned away to head in the other direction. Michael stared at him for a moment, then calmed himself down and continued searching for Sean. As the two men walked, they didn't notice that someone had been watching them the entire time.

"Looks like things have been getting interesting around here while I've been gone," Nicholas Brennan said, watching from outside a store in Emerald Square.



MARQUETTE COVE PUBLIC LIBRARY

Detective Joel Kincaid entered the library, carrying the copy of The Importance of Being Earnest that he had checked out two months ago. It was incredibly overdue, but Joel was hoping that he had some type of pull at the library due to his job as a detective at the police department.

He carried the book to the front desk and prepared to talk to one of the librarians, when he noticed someone familiar walking through the stacks. It was his brother, Duncan Kincaid, and he was carrying a large amount of newspapers in his hands.

Joel left the book on the desk and headed toward Duncan to see what he was doing. He saw Duncan stop at a table and place the newspapers next to another large stack, and then Joel hid behind a shelve to see what he was doing.

"I'm looking as fast as I can," Duncan said, glancing up at Kelly Crane, who was seated across from him in the library. "I'm not even sure if this was the guy who really murdered you, since you won't tell me who did."

"I can't," Kelly insisted. "It would…it would open you open to punishment beyond you wildest imagination."

"Yeah…whatever that means," Duncan frowned.

"You really are crazy, aren't you?"

Duncan turned around to find his brother approaching him.

"Are you talking to yourself about my wife?"

"Ex-wife," Duncan said. "She's rather deceased."

"You son of a bitch," Joel said, picking up one of the newspapers Duncan was reading. "What is this? A news report on…a rapist in Fordham Bay? Is that you too? Admiring your past work?"

"I'm not a rapist, Joel," Duncan snapped. "Stop being irrational."

"I'll show you irrational," Joel said, tearing the newspaper to shreds and throwing it at Duncan. "Stay the hell out of my life, Duncan. Otherwise I really will stick you behind bars again. Being raped isn't so fun when you're on the receiving end…but then again, you probably already know that."

Joel turned around and stormed off, leaving Duncan to glare at him angrily.

"Why the hell am I helping him, again?" Duncan demanded.

"Because it's the right thing to do," Kelly insisted.



MOORE HOME

Akilah Moore opened her eyes at the sound of a knock on her bedroom door. She rolled over and called out from whomever it was to enter. She was surprised to find that it was Alec Bale at the door, holding a rose. He smiled at her and extended the flower.

"I thought you were talking to Jessica," Akilah said, frowning.

"I'm sorry," Alec said. "I shouldn't have ignored you like that."

"Oh, really? How'd you come to that startling conclusion?" Akilah asked, standing up.

"I didn't mean to hurt you," Alec insisted. "But Jessica really needed me."

"Yeah, your ex-girlfriend really needed you."

"She's a friend. She always has been."

"I know that, but I can't help but wonder if you want something more from…what are we even doing?" Akilah demanded.

"Excuse me?"

"Are we dating? Are we just friends? What?"

"Akilah, you know I love spending time with you."

"I love you," Matt said, taking Akilah by her arms and pulling her closer to him. "I'm in love with you."

Before Akilah could react, Matt leaned in and kissed her on the lips. After a few seconds, Matt Akilah pulled away from Matt. At first she appeared to have enjoyed the kiss, but her expression quickly turned to an angry one.

Akilah pushed Matt away from her. "Matt…I'm sorry."

Matt's face fell. "No, Akilah — don't be sorry."

"I'm sorry," Akilah repeated. "But I can't —"

"Don't say it, Akilah."

"I can't be with you," Akilah finished. "We can't do this anymore. I'm in love with Alec."

"I'm in…I'm infatuated," Akilah muttered. "Not in love."

"What are you talking about?" Alec asked.

"I can't do this," Akilah said. "I'm sorry. I'm not in love with you, I don't want a relationship with you."

"Akilah…what are —"

"Goodbye, Alec," Akilah said. "And take your fifty-cent rose with you."

Akilah closed her eyes and waited for a dumbfounded Alec to finally take a hint and leave. When he was gone, she opened her eyes and sat up in her bed, wiping away the tears that were beginning to form. She thought she had been in love with Alec for so long, but now that she wasn't…it was if she had nothing to live for anymore.

"That's ridiculous," Akilah told herself. "Alec is as dry as paint. I'm a…sort-of independent woman. I can find someone else who appreciates me for…oh!"

Akilah smiled when she realized who the first guy that came to mind was.

"Tim," Akilah said. "Maybe I'll give him a call."



MITCHELL HOME

Julia Mitchell sat in the living room of her home, attempting to watch a horror movie on television. It was an unfortunate decision, given the fact that Julia had been plagued with horrific memories for days now about her past with a man by the name of Zaliphyr.

Julia had no idea who Zaliphyr was or what he had done to her exactly, but Julia knew about him coming into her room at night and manipulating her into doing his bidding. That often including manipulating her friends and obtaining objects for him, but fortunately, that was the extent of his manipulations.

Except…she believed she was responsible for killing someone by the name of Antonio, but Julia knew that Antonio wasn't dead, she had seen him around Marquette Cove after that event supposedly took place. The disjointed timeline only further confused her.

Julia soon found her thoughts interrupted by the sound of a loud pounding at the front door. Julia paused her film and stood up to answer the door. When she opened the door, Vince and Blake hurried inside her house.

"Julia, we've got a big problem," Vince said.

"Is something wrong with Akilah?" Julia asked.

"No, something worse," Vince replied. "What do you know about a demon named Zaliphyr?"

"A…demon?" Julia demanded. "I know the name, but — wait…how do you know him?"

"I've got a lot to tell you, but I don't have very much time," Vince said. "There's something horrible happening tonight, and we need your help."

"What can I do?"

"You can — your kitchen."

"Huh?"

"I remember your kitchen," Vince said. "There's a…"

Vince's voice trailed off as he walked into Julia's kitchen and began searching for something. A confused Julia followed him as Blake stood by the front door and waited for them. Vince waved his hand in the kitchen, causing a gust of wind to blow through the room.

Julia cried out as a large knife appeared on the linoleum floor and began swirling around. The knife floated into the air and flew into Vince's waiting palm. He gripped the knife and turned to Julia.

"Someone left this here," Vince explained. "It's mine now."

"What the hell is going on?" Julia demanded. "Will someone please explain that to me?"

"Talk about a weird night," Blake muttered.

"It's only going to get worse."

"Huh?" Blake turned to the front door, where he found someone was now standing. That person, however, was someone Blake knew all too well. But it was someone he had never expected to ever see again, and someone he certainly didn't want to see again.

"Oh my God…Damon!" Blake gasped.

"Yes, it's me," Damon Johnson said, smiling. "Surprised to see me…murderer?"