[ferretchucker]

Opening credits role. Fade into a shot of Gore's Blacksmiths. Gore is sitting at an anvil, hammering at a large battle axe. The Door swings open. V walks in.

Gorephobia: Afternoon friend.

V: Same to you Gore. Honestly, this town is nuttier than a squirrels dream.

Gorephobia: Pardon?

V: Take a look for yourself!

V pulls a sack off his shoulder. He pulls out a piece of meat with loads of gashes in it.

Gorephobia: Tantrum?

V: What?

Gorephobia: The Butcher. He has anger management issues.

V: Damn straight! I sneezed and the guy went mad. Started swinging his knife at the meat. It's a complete mess!

He pulls seven colourful jewels out of the sack.

Gorephobia: That'll be pinky?

V: What? Yeh? I guess. Blonde lady.

Gorephobia: The woman with the stall.

V: I walked past it, she smiles at me, next thing I know I've given her half my money for the stones.

Gorephobia: She has some weird ability to get guys to do things.

V: Hypnotism?

Gorephobia: Nah. She's a woman. We'll do anything for a girl with a pretty face.

V: I'll remember that.

Gorephobia: What else you got in there.

V: Stopped off at one more shop.

He turns the sack upside down and two dozen apples fall out.

Gorephobia: Nice variety. I see you went for big green, small golden and sour red.

V: Figured it'd last me.

V is about to carry on but then he stops.

Gorephobia: What-

V holds up a hand to quiet him. He walks over to the window. Through the darkness he can see several horses, galloping at top speed towards the shop.

Gorephobia: What is that?

V: Looks like some sort of attack force.

Gorephobia: Which way are they heading?

V: This way.

Gorephobia: Oh crap. They're coming for me.

V: What?

Gorephobia: Go out the back, run to the pub!

V: No, I'm staying. To fight if I have to. Why are they coming ayway? What did you do?

Gorephobia: Listen to me. I know you could fight them, but that would just ruin things.

V: Things? What things?

Gorephobia: There's no time! Just go.

V: What about you?

Gorephobia: You won't be seeing me for a while. Just leave. NOW!

V: Good luck.

He goes to pick up the jewels.

Gorephobia: Does no time mean anything to you?

V: It could be the end of the world for all I care, I paid good money for these jewels, I'm keeping them!

He collects them and runs out, taking the sword of Geddy with him. Before he leaves, he takes a last glance back, just in time to see Gorephobia grab a battleaxe. V runs out, then heads along the river a small way, eventualy coming to the local inn named "The Two Witches". He goes to the front, then in the door. It's nearly empty.

V: Hello?

A woman stands up from under the bar. She smiles at him. She has dark hair. She's holding something.

Chronogrl: Hey there. You lookin' for a drink?

V: If you will, and a room.

Chronogrl: Okay, but I have to warn you, things can get pretty roudy in here.

V looks around. Only two people are sitting in there, each drinking from a glass and looking pretty sad.

Chronogrl: Just kiddin! Nah. We got plenty of room.

V: Great. Hook me up would you?

Chronogrl: That depends. What's in it for me?

V: I have some money.

Chronogrl: I wasn't talking about money.

She licks her lips. V raises an eyebrow.

Chronogrl: Just kidding!

A voice sounds from up the stairs.

Voice: WILL YOU STOP KIDDING?

Chronogrl: When you stop laughing!

THe person comes down the steps.

Hammerfan: Sorry about my sister mate. Her and that thing.

V: What thing?

Something crawls around from behind the bar. It is bearing it's sharp teeth and claws, it has no fur and it's eyes are blood red. It's making a sound between a cluck and a gurgle and saliva is dripping from it's mouth.

V: Jesus CHRIST!

Hammerfan: Follow me.

She leads him up the stairs. Chronogrl can be heard from below.

Chronogrl: Who's a good little creature? YOU ARE!

Hammerfan: Yeh, sorry. She experimented with breeding rats, cats and bats. This is what she got. Named it Ripley.

V: What an odd girl. Infact, I get the feeling most of this town is odd.

Hammerfan: You hit the nail on the head there my friend. Here you are.

She stops at a door. V opens it. It's a small room with only a bed and a candle in it.

Hammerfan: We provide breakfast in the mornings. And that'll be 3 pieces.

V hands her three small gold coins.

V: I'll be down in a minute for a drink. Can you make sure nobody comes into this room. At all.

Hammerfan: Sure. Whatever.

She yawns and goes down the stairs. V closes the door, takes the sword from his sack and lays on the bed. He looks out the window. In the distance are some fast moving figures. One looks like a person, the other like a horse. V lays back on the bed and sighs.

V: This is worse than Singapore...