“Five years ago,” the Mayor began, “a terrible storm blew across Grimstock on the darkest day of the year – Midwinter.”
“It’s Midwinter today,” Edgar hissed to Mary.
“The storm lasted only a few hours, but in that time the town was damaged very badly,” said the Mayor. “Trees fell across roads. Roofs were blown off buildings. Some houses were struck by lightning and caught fire. Ten people died.”
The Mayor went on, “The worst of the storm hit Wormley Marsh, just outside the town. It was struck by huge bolts of lightning over and over again. That storm is the only thing that could have brought the evil to this town.”
“And what evil is that?” asked Mr Blood.
“Well,” the Mayor said, “at first we knew nothing of it. In the year after the storm, we rebuilt the town.
“The next Midwinter night, many of us came here to the hall. We planned to stay awake through the night. We wanted to think about the people who died in the storm.”
The Mayor went on. “Outside, the night was quiet. But on the stroke of midnight, something in the air changed. A terrible smell blew through the town from the marsh. A few minutes later we heard screaming.”
The Mayor stopped and wiped his brow.
“We all rushed outside to see what had happened. Two children were being carried off by… something. It was… It was a horror from hell.”
“You will need to be more exact than that,” said Mr Blood.
“Yes, of course,” said the Mayor. “The thing that carried the children was some sort of giant. It had arms and legs. It walked like a man. But it was as tall as a house.”
“It stank of the marsh,” said the Mayor. “Its body seemed to be made of mud. We call it the marsh demon. The children were never seen again.”
“And you think this marsh demon will come again?” asked Mr Blood.
“Yes sir. It is Midwinter,” said the mayor. “It takes two children at midnight on Midwinter every year. But this year, our children will not die. You will kill the monster, Mr Blood. And if you do not, it will take your helpers, not our children.”
The mayor looked over Mr Blood’s shoulder and nodded.
A group of men jumped forward.
Two men pulled Edgar and Mary from their chairs and dragged them away.
Mr Blood shouted, “No!”
But there was nothing he could do to stop them.
