WELCOME

[LICI]

I KNOW THAT YOU'RE NO GOOD FOR ME
that's why i feel i must confess

- - -

NINE months ago, the priest of the parish of Darkness Falls was found hanged in his own church. Since then, the whole town's been on red alert. That's when the Bleeding Statue Conspiracy and the Believers Cult began, under the leadership of REYNOLDS (LL). Around a month later, Darkness Falls came under the care of a new priest, Father ELMWOOD (EM). Now, nobody's sure exactly what happened after that. The Bleeding Statue aroused more than ELMWOOD (EM)'s curiosity; it aroused that of the press, the AAEVP research team and? Oh yes, a number of independent scientists, including a certain Doctor GREYSON (KR), who had already penned two books on religious symbolism and the science of miracles, became very interested in the new case study that was Darkness Falls.

BUT there was more to the quiet town than first met the eye. GREYSON (KR) assumed it would be a simple case of a few chem tests, a bit of paperwork, and BAM, another little town's conspiracy was revealed. The philosophical debates with ELMWOOD (EM) about the subject of her books and the touchy subject of her past were an added bonus; after all, who can you trust, if not a priest? But GREYSON (KR) hadn't banked on old feelings, feelings she hadn't felt for so very long, reawakening. She also didn't realise that crushing on ELMWOOD (EM) would make her a marked woman.

REYNOLDS (LL) had taken a shine to ELMWOOD (EM) the moment he first stepped foot in Darkness Falls. Though initially reluctant, he had agreed to keep the church the Cult's meeting place and had even gone along with some of their Biblical interpretations. But REYNOLDS (LL) saw it as much, much more than that. A bit of flirty banter, ideological debates over wine... but one move too many on her' part revealed something spectacular about the priest. He was married. Now how was that for leverage against him? REYNOLDS (LL) relished the new-found power she had over the priest; he had little choice but to bend to her will. But now the new kid on the block, GREYSON (KR), was getting in on the act and that was just not right! REYNOLDS (LL) needed to protect her assets and this new scientist was a threat.

BUT was REYNOLDS (LL) the one to take the heavy lead pipe to the back of GREYSON (KR)'s head? There were no witnesses, and so far DNA and fingerprinting haven't worked.... but she is the most likely perpetrator. The debate between religion and science has reached a new level... will more people get hurt in the hunt for answers?

- - -

WHAT'S WRONG IS WHY IT FEELS SO RIGHT
i want to feel your sweet caress

[LICI]

SHE WAS ALWAYS SUCH A PRETTY GIRL
nobody like her in the world

- - -

NELSON (AP) and DAVIS (CB) had been dating for a little while. The fact that he was a teacher and she was a student hadn't even come into it. They'd kept it all hush-hush, of course, but you could just tell. The looks they shared in class, the way NELSON (AP) would stay behind after class for help on a topic she understood perfectly... it didn't take a genius. But Darkness Falls High School had turned a blind eye to it. NELSON (AP) was a sensible enough kid and with a cop for a dad, it wasn't like DAVIS (CB) would have the chance to do her wrong and get away with it. They could overlook laws for just one minute.

BUT the real-life Romeo and Juliet got careless. One day, school was drawing to a close and NELSON (AP) decided to surprise her boyfriend after last period. But neither of them counted on CAVENAUGH (LH) walking in on their little meeting. Of course, NELSON (AP) chased after the girl, begged her not to say anything... and well, it turned a little nasty. Nobody was hurt, at least not physically, but threats were made and... well, you know the drill. Anyways, Monday morning comes and goes... no sign of CAVENAUGH (LH) at school. NELSON (AP)'s worried, and rightly so. See, DAVIS (CB) hasn't turned up to work, either. The day comes and goes and tucked between the windscreen wipers of NELSON (AP)'s car is a note. From DAVIS (CB). He's got a new job and he's leaving town. NELSON (AP)'s distraught, obviously. DAVIS (CB) was her first real, serious boyfriend, and she thought she might've been in love. But it's a harsh wake-up call to the realities of relationships.

THE key twist in our story? Well, listen up, story-lovers. See, that night on the television, the headlines are all the same. CAVENAUGH (LH)'s body's been found in the lake at the park. Everyone suspects her boyfriend, PROWSE (CB). NELSON (AP) isn't so sure. She figures DAVIS (CB) left in a hurry, and though PROWSE (CB) is known as the local fruitcake, he's probably not the murdering type.

NOW, NELSON (AP)'s no detective, but a juicy conspiracy like this? Well, it's an opportunity too good to pass up. So she sets about getting to know PROWSE (CB) a little better. He's initially suspicious, and that's only natural. After all, NELSON (AP) is the Sheriff's daughter; there's got to be an ulterior motive, right? Well, actually, no. And NELSON (AP)'s offended to hear her new friend would think so low of her. So, like any teenage girl, she sulks. He's too proud to admit he's wrong. She relents. She calls.

BUT now daddy's getting worried; after all, PROWSE (CB) is still their prime suspect for the murder of CAVENAUGH (LH) and he doesn't want his baby girl getting burned. And as any dad will tell you, it's only natural to want to look after your own. But maybe NELSON (AP)'s getting tired of daddy always sticking his nose in her business. Maybe she's got a few tricks up her sleeves....

- - -

A LITTLE PIECE OF HEAVENLY
that no one else could stand

[LICI]

THERE SHE STOOD IN THE DOORWAY
i heard the mission bell

- - -

THE premise of holiday romances is thus: girl goes on holiday, meets boy, falls in love, they go their separate ways at the end of the summer. Well, in Darkness Falls, the holiday romance takes a strange turn. For starters, neither REYNOLDS (EW) or NOLAN (KS) were on holiday. In actual fact, they attended high school together in the quaint little town, but they never really got along. But that was primarily from lack of trying. After graduation, they both figured they'd never see each other again - and that was probably a good thing.

SO imagine REYNOLDS (EW)' surprise when she turns up to work one day, and who should be sitting at the reception desk but NOLAN (KS). And though REYNOLDS (EW) is a little ashamed to admit it, she looks good. But those thoughts are better left unsaid. REYNOLDS (EW) has many male visitors and a reputation to uphold.

THEY make an effort to get along. They strike up conversations, waste away the hours behind the reception desk with tic-tac-toe and a concealed DVD player. The IM conversations, even though they're sitting right next to one another are the most hilarious thing ever. The animosity they once had at school is long gone... Customer service has gone up by 25%...and yeah, you guessed it. They fall in love.

EXCEPT REYNOLDS (EW) is confused. She's straight, isn't she? And so's NOLAN (KS), right? Except NOLAN (KS)'s kind of not. She figured out a good couple of years ago now that she's a lesbian, but it's not exactly the sort of thing you shout about. She's only ever come out to one person; her stepbrother, SLATER (BM).

THINGS have gotten a bit tense. REYNOLDS (EW) is of the impression that avoiding the problem will make it all go away. After all, homosexuality's a sin, right? Mama would be so disappointed. And NOLAN (KS)? Well, frankly, she's baffled by her friend's change of behaviour - they were getting on so well, weren't they? Only time will tell if REYNOLDS (EW) will bite the bullet and confront her desires. After all, the path of true love never did run smooth...

- - -

HER MIND IS TIFFANY-TWISTED, SHE GOT THE MERCEDES BENZ
she got a lot of pretty, pretty boys that she calls friends

[LICI]

I KNOW THIS ROOM, I'VE WALKED THIS FLOOR
i used to live alone before i knew you

- - -

MELODY wasn't supposed to have fallen from the balcony that evening. It was all just some silly adolescent dare got out of hand. It was she who had suggested the ouija board in the first place as a game in the old orphanage. It was Hallowe'en and they'd all grown up with the stories... and that's what teenagers do, right?

BUT it turned foul. COLLINS (RHW) hadn't wanted to do it in the first place; she was the baby of the group, emotionally if not physically, and, well, it seemed a bit too much. Why play around with these things, right? Leave the spirit world alone and it'll do the same to us. But her boyfriend, THORNE (JS) convinced her. It was just harmless fun. Nothing would come of it. And then the messages started getting threatening. They made a run for it, but Melody got stuck. The stairs, already decaying and crumbling from the fire damage, gave way under her and she went flying over the balcony to her death.

THERE were only four witnesses to the crime; COLLINS (RHW), KEATES (KZ), MITCHELL (AP) and THORNE (JS). All of them were scared - nay, terrified. So they did what any teenager would do; they ran. What else could they do? They were trespassing, and their friend had just died. It didn't look good, from whatever angle you stood. But it turned out right in the end... well, sorta.

MELODY'S body was recovered the next morning. An elderly neighbour reported seeing five kids going into the orphanage late the previous night, but only four coming out. So the police went in, and they found Melody. But COLLINS (RHW), KEATES (KZ), MITCHELL (AP) and THORNE (JS) stayed quiet. It looked suspicious to say the least and they didn't want the guilt on their minds of knowing they could have done something to help. Save your own skin first, isn't that the way it works?

COLLINS (RHW) was the first to be affected. Soon after, she couldn't sleep. There were voices in her head screaming at her, and every time she closed her eyes, she could see Melody's face. Then it was MITCHELL (AP)'s turn. Certain he was going insane like his schitzophrenic uncle, MITCHELL (AP) tried to kill himself. He failed, of course, but still landed up with two months in psychiatric care, and at least that was a welcome morphine-fuelled reprieve from the sickening guilt of home. KEATES (KZ)... well, he got nasty. It was bound to happen; he'd always had a temper, but like they say with serial killers, there's always a trigger. Melody's death was just that. And as for THORNE (JS)? Everyone always assumed he held a torch for his friend, even though he was dating COLLINS (RHW). There was just a sort of chemistry between them that couldn't be replicated. So, yeah, Melody's death hit THORNE (JS) the hardest, and despite ongoing investigations, he hasn't spoken a word since it happened.

MELODY'S death hasn't yet been avenged. Some say a poltergeist pushed her, some say it was just an accident. The police forensic reports and post mortem were inconclusive. But will Melody's soul rest until the truth is out?

- - -

THERE WAS A TIME YOU LET ME KNOW WHAT'S REALLY GOING ON BELOW
but now you never show it to me, do you?

[LICI]

KEEP SMILIN', KEEP SHININ'
knowin' you can always count on me for sure

- - -

IT'S not easy being a maths prodigy. It's even more difficult when you're the nephew of an obsessive cultist, especially in such a small town as Darkness Falls. ATWOOD (CC) knows how this feels. He's the kind of kid that keeps to himself; quiet, gets on with his work...his elementary school teacher, WILLOUGHBY (AA) could never say a bad word about him at parents' evening. But of course, kids are cruel. They mock him for being smart, for not being very social... there was a time, very briefly when he was seven when ATWOOD (CC)'s mother considered home-schooling.

THAT was until MCCONNELL (DF) came along. Her parents, divorced for three years by then, had decided a fresh start was in order. MCCONNELL (DF) and her mother uprooted from Savannah, Georgia, and settled in Darkness Falls, but like with all new students, MCCONNELL (DF)] was isolated from her peers as abnormal, a freak... It was easy for ATWOOD (CC) and her to find a common ground.

EXCEPT MCCONNELL (DF)'s mother and ATWOOD (CC)'s aunt REYNOLDS (LL) knew each other through school, and later attended rival colleges, both serving on the volleyball team. MCCONNELL (DF)'s mother thinks REYNOLDS (LL) is a religious loon and has brainwashed the town. She wants to leave Darkness Falls, with MCCONNELL (DF) in tow, to go somewhere less... obsessive. But MCCONNELL (DF) doesn't want to go. ATWOOD (CC) is her friend - her only friend - which of course, is forbidden due to REYNOLDS (LL)' and MCCONNELL (DF)'s mother's enemy status.

WILL ATWOOD (CC) and MCCONNELL (DF) be able to fight to keep their friendship alive when her mother's talking about moving away? Only time will truly tell...

- - -

THAT'S WHAT FRIENDS ARE FOR
for good times and bad times i'll be on your side forever more