Natale

When the Far Bell Rings Natale

Publisher Marketing: I found myself studying a series of photo's I had taken of an abandoned church. That got me to reminiscing about my youth and the old burial grounds we used as a playground. The newest tombstone still intact enough to read the date on was originally placed in the ground during 1767. All the remaining headstones were placed along the parameter to form a circular enclosure. Massive Oak trees formed eerie shapes at night. When a thick sea fog washed ashore it was a cold and terrifying place for anyone with an active imagination. One evening the fog was particularly thick. My elder brother and I had gone to the fish and chip shop to pick up the original 'to-go' food. With six penneth of chips and a shillings worth of fish in hand we entered the burial grounds. We became aware of something breathing heavily following us as St. Mary's bell dully thudded in the distance. The burial grounds were unlit save for a gas lamp post at each entrance. Every time we stopped and tried to see what was following us the creature stopped. We fled for the entrance closest to our home. We waited beneath the lamp post to see what form of monster followed us. Come stand with us beneath the pale yellow hue of the gas lamp where the creature first appeared. Back then it was a lost dog following the scent of our food. In The Far Bell Rings it is a creature called the Devil's Mare. The scent of its food is human flesh.