Shadow Came to Innsmouth

As Evan pondered, he heard Tom, sitting diagonally across from him, lower his voice mysteriously.

"Have you heard the eerie stories about Innsmouth?"

Morales, who had always been interested in such things, immediately asked, "What stories?"

Tom leaned closer and pointed out the window. "Legend says this place is ruled by a powerful, mysterious race."

"I hear they hold a grand sacrifice here at a certain time each year!"

"And those they choose gain eternal life!"

Deep Ones really do live a long time, Evan thought.

Tom licked his lips. "I've also heard you can meet beautiful mermaids on the shores of Innsmouth."

His eyes gleamed with anticipation. "I wonder if I'll get the chance to meet a beautiful mermaid!"

Beautiful... Evan recalled the bloated, twisted forms of adult Female Deep Ones. Suddenly, even a sow seemed pretty to him.

Beside him, Saddam heard this and glanced at Evan.

Before, he would never have believed any of it. But after what had happened a few days ago...

Saddam had realized science barely scratched the surface!

Then another medical student named Jack leaned over.

"Stories like these sound like fairy tales, but there's usually a brutal reality behind them."

"According to some stories I've heard, outsiders who offend the locals get dragged into the sea and drowned!"

"They might even be cursed and turned into ugly monsters that reek of fish!"

While the others talked, Evan rested his chin on his hand and gazed out the window.

They had gathered at the school at nine that morning, then taken carriages provided by the Byron Group to the train station.

After their identities were checked, they were shown into a private carriage belonging to the Byron Group.

Everything had gone smoothly and quietly.

Professor Mons led the university contingent, while Doctor