The doorbell rang almost as soon as Moira finished setting the table.  She greeted Ellen with a warm smile and ushered her inside and away from the chill of the darkening night.  Moira shot a quick glance out the door, ensuring no one else was around before he shut it.<br/><br/>"Ellen, I'm so glad you could make it tonight!  It's a bit chilly outside, isn't it?  Well, I've got the table all set and as soon as the others arrive, we'll get started.  But feel free to munch if you're hungry."<br/><br/>Moira motioned to the kitchen and left Ellen to herself for a moment.  Since Moira had the unusual incident this time, she would be the one sharing.  And she would need the book for her story.  She picked up the manuscript from the desk just as another knock came.  The peep hole revealed familiar faces and she opened the door to the rest of her friends.<br/><br/>"Wesley and Heather, so good to see you again!  Father Burgundy, Dr. Grace."  She nodded her head to each in turn, welcoming them into her home once more and motioning everyone to the kitchen.  She took her seat at the table with her book and waited for the others to follow suit before she began.<br/><br/>"I'm so glad you all could make it tonight.  I have something remarkable to share with you.  I have been doing research into these strange happenings around town and have stumbled upon this."  She held up her book.  "'Lingering Presences of the Elder Ones.'  Some of the things in here are far beyond the reaches of reality and could only have come from the most depraved mind, but some of the listed sightings and occurances are very like what we have seen today.  For instance, Father, remember the life-like moving glimmer you saw in the rectory a few weeks ago?  This book lists the very same happening, in a mirror at an old antique shop.  And Wesley, do you recall the ghastly image you saw reflected in the lake that night?  The same image, down to the color and tentacles and number of eyeballs was spotted at the old graveyard once.  The description is uncanny.  So, I have been reading through this book, looking for other similarities, and I discovered an interesting passage.  Here, I will read it to you."<br/><br/>Moira cleared her throat and lifted the book up, before finding and reading the selected paragraphs.  "It is theorized that a rift in the fifth dimension is what causes these unusual occurrences.  Some even go so far as to speculate that a large enough rift through multiple dimensions could very well create a temporary gateway, or portal, allowing other-worldly creatures to pass through.  Such portals would also allow human kinds to enter into these other worlds and explore them at will.  Until solid proof is made that these portals exist and something other dwells on the far side, no conclusions will be drawn at this time.  Be forewarned that madness will follow all who seek out the Elder Ones."<br/><br/>Moira put the book down and surveyed her group.  Dr. Grace was their newest member.  She was a psychologist at the local hospital and had only come by once before, after a patient's ramblings led her to Father Burgundy for advice.  The Priest was Moira's first member and confidant in town, since she had gone to see him the first time she saw something unusual.  Heather worked at the museum and had spoken with Ellen a few times previously.  Moira wasn't' sure if Ellen convinced Heater or if Heather convinced Ellen, but either way, they were both here.  Wesley was the public grounds-keeper and he kept up all the public land in town, including the graveyard.  They had all seen the unsee-able and were imagining the unimaginable.  Only now, their nightmares had a name.  The Elder Ones.<br/><br/>Moira's eyes settled on Ellen, the librarian of the group.  "Ellen, have you heard of The Elder Ones before?  Know of any books on them, fiction or otherwise?  I'd like to know what's out there about them."