Chapter 4 Not of flesh

These are notes taken from the dairy of one James Nightly. A rough collection of his experiences, throughout certain time periods. Whether they are true or not is entirely speculative.

1605 - James Francis Nightly Is my name and these are my thoughts. It is the cold month of may, war time, and all is quite on the eastern front. The snow is everywhere and most of the men are dead. The trenches takes no survivors.

1607 - Two years have passed since our camp was discovered by Spaniards. The damn bastards got us with our knickers down. Not a soul survived the massacre. I was shot and left to die. It must have been hours, surely i couldn't tell, death slowly approached to claim me. That's when it happened, the moment i meet them or rather it. They appeared in the form of man, their true nature obscured. The stranger paused upon seeing my half dead corpse, he just stood there; observing. Then a voice as cold as the the air itself spoke to me

"Do you not wish to die with these men?" It said and with all the little strength left in body i uttered. "No."

The strange man took a dead soldier from the pillar of corpses and what happened next was bewildering. A thick vial was suddenly lifted from my eyes that night and with it came many secrets.

1607 - James nightly is no more, what little humanity i had left died along with my husk that faithful night. From the decay and ash, emerged a new identity. We left that horrid place of bitter memories, now on the roads of Lubeck, headed for lands unknown.

1699 - I now remember nothing before that night, no memories of the boy i once was so long ago. I have no past to recall, there is nothing left, only these scribbles on paper can prove my existence. This face, these hands, they are not mine. I have changed and i fear more changes to come.

1710 - We've settled in England, Scotland yard to be more precise. The people are nice and their experiences even more so. My benefactor now wishes to be called a name, Walker. For what trivial reason i have yet to understand. They have shown me so much, i know have a clear understanding of what i have become. My current shell is a Victorian female, i do not recall her name. The hunger grows with each passing day, a hundred lives perished in the process. I do not feel remorse, only a desire to consume more.

1715 - Walker has left, for where i do not know. I am alone once again....

1725 - It has been years since he left, but he passage of time is different now, slower. The hunger has driven me towards Tyburn. The trail of bodies is now beyond count.

1726 - I was witness to a hanging today. From the sidelines i watched as the crowd bellowed for blood. Humanity is basic, what savages the whole lot.

1731 - I bumped into walker on my way to Dorset, he's dawned a new shell and immediately recognized mine. We stood midst the rubble of what was once Blandford forum. He spoke of the collective, of the merger and urges me to prepare.

1737 - I spoke with a man by the name of Samuel Jackson and immediately became infatuated with his words. He shall be my new husk, i shall take him and all his experiences.

1784 - Samuel's body has given into age, it couldn't be helped. I've grown rather fond of writing, these entries give my journey meaning. I can feel them calling, the collective wants me. Walker has merged and i fear my time will soon come. I am not afraid, but i sometimes wonder what is to happen after. Langton, my assistant , shall be my new Husk.

1800- My travels have brought me to Henrico country. I am to stay at an old friend's plantation. The Americas is quite different from my old home, the people seem to have interesting stories to tell. I shall enjoy my stay here.

1801- Its been a year, i feel myself slipping, the collective is taking over. I hear them, their calls, it is most alluring. Another man died today, the sixth execution this month. My friend has given into dementia, killing people has become somewhat of a pass time and it is quite certain he has gone mad. I must leave, before things take a turn.

1812- I now know what Walker meant when he said there was no going back. I am slowly fading into darkness. The collective has won. I hear them calling, they tell me to rest, i have done well and now i must rest.