*The Barrow-Downs Official Birthday Newspaper* - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Estelyn Telcontar · 05-01-2007, 02:08 AM

“Extra, extra! Read all about it! Dead barrow celebrates birthday! Reports of ghosts, wights, zombies, and other ghastly invaders in the publishing house frighten reporters and staff! Get your copy right here!”

The young paper boy's enthusiasm for his special task on this early morning sped his feet down the road faster than he realized. He had sold a goodly number of newspapers to interested citizens, yet his cart held more, and he had the ambition to empty it completely before returning to his home.

The pale sun arose, yet it gave only a grey light through the mist. The fog rolled up over the fields and rose above him, bending over his head until it became a roof. He felt as if a trap was closing around him, but he did not quite lose heart. He recognized nothing, not having been in this area before, but he had the foreboding feeling that something - or someone - was there, and he was not sure that it was someone - or something - he wanted to meet. Fear prevailed over duty and ambition, and he had begun to turn his cart to make a hasty retreat when he heard a voice, deep and cold, that seemed to come out of the ground, calling to him:

"I am waiting for you!"

He stood still, his knees knocking a cowardly rap rhythm, but he did not run away. Then his legs gave, and he fell on the ground. Nothing happened, and there was no sound. Trembling he looked up, in time to see a tall dark figure like a shadow against the fading stars. It leaned over him. He thought there were two green-glowing eyes, as though lit with a pale light that seemed to come from a remote distance. Then a grip stronger and colder than iron seized him. The icy touch froze his bones, and he remembered no more.

When he came to himself again, for a moment he could recall nothing except a sense of dread. Then suddenly he realized that he had been robbed - his cart was empty! Almost he would have wept bitter tears to think of the lost revenue his papers should have brought him, then he saw a glitter of gold in the bottom of the vehicle. And lo! there were chains and brooches and rings and coins - their worth was much greater than anything he could have expected. Hurriedly, lest any further mischance should happen to him, he pulled the cart and ran down the road homewards as fast as his legs could carry him.

° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° °

Behind him in the dark, a pale greenish light enveloped the countryside. Glowing letters appeared upon a flat, rectangular surface, and the image of a gleaming sword could be seen. From within the nearby mound, a voice could be heard:

"What took the paper boy so long today? I want my morning paper - maybe there'll be something interesting to read on the Barrow’s birthday. Here, folks, there are enough for all of you - spread them around!"

05-01-2007, 02:08 AM	#1
Estelyn Telcontar Princess of Skwerlz Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: where the Sea is eastwards (WtR: 6060 miles) Posts: 7,500	*The Barrow-Downs Official Birthday Newspaper* “Extra, extra! Read all about it! Dead barrow celebrates birthday! Reports of ghosts, wights, zombies, and other ghastly invaders in the publishing house frighten reporters and staff! Get your copy right here!” The young paper boy's enthusiasm for his special task on this early morning sped his feet down the road faster than he realized. He had sold a goodly number of newspapers to interested citizens, yet his cart held more, and he had the ambition to empty it completely before returning to his home. The pale sun arose, yet it gave only a grey light through the mist. The fog rolled up over the fields and rose above him, bending over his head until it became a roof. He felt as if a trap was closing around him, but he did not quite lose heart. He recognized nothing, not having been in this area before, but he had the foreboding feeling that something - or someone - was there, and he was not sure that it was someone - or something - he wanted to meet. Fear prevailed over duty and ambition, and he had begun to turn his cart to make a hasty retreat when he heard a voice, deep and cold, that seemed to come out of the ground, calling to him: "I am waiting for you!" He stood still, his knees knocking a cowardly rap rhythm, but he did not run away. Then his legs gave, and he fell on the ground. Nothing happened, and there was no sound. Trembling he looked up, in time to see a tall dark figure like a shadow against the fading stars. It leaned over him. He thought there were two green-glowing eyes, as though lit with a pale light that seemed to come from a remote distance. Then a grip stronger and colder than iron seized him. The icy touch froze his bones, and he remembered no more. When he came to himself again, for a moment he could recall nothing except a sense of dread. Then suddenly he realized that he had been robbed - his cart was empty! Almost he would have wept bitter tears to think of the lost revenue his papers should have brought him, then he saw a glitter of gold in the bottom of the vehicle. And lo! there were chains and brooches and rings and coins - their worth was much greater than anything he could have expected. Hurriedly, lest any further mischance should happen to him, he pulled the cart and ran down the road homewards as fast as his legs could carry him. ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° Behind him in the dark, a pale greenish light enveloped the countryside. Glowing letters appeared upon a flat, rectangular surface, and the image of a gleaming sword could be seen. From within the nearby mound, a voice could be heard: "What took the paper boy so long today? I want my morning paper - maybe there'll be something interesting to read on the Barrow’s birthday. Here, folks, there are enough for all of you - spread them around!"