All around him chaos reigned, the contrast of an evening of intense merrymaking with the sudden terrifying events which had transpired causing many to enter a stunned stupor. Adrian was one of these people so effected, and even as David shook him roughly into some semblance of conscious thought a creaking permeated the air. Shutters had been quickly drawn over windows, but the cracking pressure of glass beginning to succumb to outside forces was evident for all of the frightened villagers to hear. Meanwhile, Viktor turned to consider Bogdan’s question, but despair and confusion was evident in his face even before he uttered the words many were feeling.

“I don’t know… it seems as if the world is ending!” Viktor cried, and then dropped his head in shame of his own outburst. Adrian roused himself suddenly, somehow his brother’s panic had brought him to his senses and he looked around wildly, taking in the scene. Most of the people had retreated back into the tavern, taking solace around the hearth, as if the flickering lights of the flame would protect them from the unnatural darkness enveloping the town. Adrian had to admit this seemed like the reasonable course of action himself, as the windows were focused on the front of the building, as was the door. 

“Grigory, Anton get over here!” Adrian said suddenly, directing his question at the farmhand and his younger brother respectively, who were lurking just away from the main group.” Once assembled he looked at the men and fewer women around him, all adults, not quite ready to give into fear. “I saw something out in that darkness.” Adrian explained quickly, his eyes haunted with the memory. “We’ve got to barricade the doors and windows as best we can, Lord knows if it will do any good but we’ve got to try and keep what’s out there from getting in.” For a moment his intoxication was forgotten, as any good man could dispel the more debilitating effects of inebriation when a worthy cause presented itself.

David nodded in approval, larger and older than most assembled he was happy to have a physical task to take on. “Let’s do it.” He said, and as if the silent affirmation of most in the crowd was not sufficient to sway them, the door creaked alarmingly and a scratching at one of the windows caused Adrian to visibly pale.

The people who agreed with the plan outweighed the minority of selfless or lazy souls who were against blocking up the only entrance. Tables were upturned and pushed up against windows, and the heavy oak round-table that usually filled the room was pushed in front of the door, holding it shut with its significant weight. Even as they quickly worked the people inside whimpered at the sounds echoing from the darkness, and all the while the fires of the hearth dimmed, bringing the fearful darkness ever closer.