Whitechapel (Part 2)

**Whitechapel (Part 1)** is the first episode of the *Another Bad Side Quest* mini-series based in the *Call of Cthulhu 7e* game system to celebrate the show's one year anniversary. The surviving members of the Gardinier & Elwin’s Circus continue moving as they attempt to outrun the footsteps as an old friend haunts their journey.

## Whitechapel (Part 2)

### **Synopsis**

**Pre-Show Shenanigans**

* Happy one year anniversary! Thank you for all your love and support as we carry on into year two
* Jon's back to celebrate with us!
* No intro or ads, let's get into it

### **Summary**

Iris, Jean Paul and Jackson ran from Evelyn’s body and ran into Theo, Cecil and Jeremiah outside the trailer, that had been torn to shreds. Theo asked about the scream they had heard and as Jean-Paul warned them not to go back into the tent Jackson said the scream was Iris and that Evelyn was dead. The three who were at the trailer asked for an explanation and Iris explained that Evelyn ended up much like her monkey, eviscerated, disemboweled and damaged similarly to the destroyed trailer. Cecil moved towards the tent to look, but Jean Paul blocked his path and warned him there was something there beyond their understanding. As the group moved around anxiously searching Iris, Jean Paul and Cecil noticed, where there was once only one set of footsteps added to their own, there were now two sets and pointed it out to the group. Jean Paul noted the steps were getting closer to him and asked if anyone else heard the same and when Cecil suggested they should leave and Iris agreed they should be anywhere but there.

The group began to wonder who heard the footsteps first and when Jean Paul pointed out that Jeremiah had disappeared earlier and said he heard something. Cecil revealed he heard the footsteps in the afternoon before the show, while everyone went to get lunch, and that he thought it was a child sneaking around. Iris asked if that was why he was covered in goo and while Cecil didn't know for sure said it could possibly be related. Jean Paul took a step to the goo, hearing the steps again as he did, inspected it and found it to be like a semi-hard gelatin, but dissolved like water when he pressed it between his fingers. The group decided enough was enough, started to leave the grounds of the circus, hearing the footsteps behind them as they moved, and Theo took up an odd bit of metal pipe for protection. As they moved Cecil and Jeremiah took up the rear, walking backwards as they did to watch what was behind the group with weapons poised, and soon spotted the footsteps that the group left, like a weight pressing into the prints and deepening them.

Jean Paul said they should figure out where they were going, wondering if anyone knew someone who might know something and Jackson suggested going to Mr. Chickering, though Jeremiah didn't think he could be of any use against whatever this was. Jean Paul pointed out all the strange things began happening after he arrived that afternoon and Cecil reminded them that Mr. Chickering had been coming and going from the circus grounds for the past few weeks while they signed their lease and set themselves up. As they passed the front of the main tent Theo heard Evelyn’s voice in passing calling out for Sipho. Theo looked around and thought he saw her passing by in the shadows, but when he double checked saw she was gone. Theo stood and called for Ms. Chatwin, but Jackson and Iris assured him Evelyn was dead, having seen her corpse themselves. Theo tried to insist he could recognize Evelyn and Jean Paul reminded him there was also a ghost covering things in slime, killing the monkey and destroying the trailer. Cecil told Theo to think smartly, asking why Evelyn would be hiding and Jean Paul said it was trying to get them alone. As Jean Paul lit a cigarette for himself, Theo and Iris, Cecil and Jeremiah noticed that in the tracks of their footprints, the invisible steps appeared to bounce in place, as if antsy, while they stood around and talked.

As the group moved slowly again both Cecil and Jeremiah swore they saw Evelyn turned a corner around the trailer in the distance, with a familiar little monkey following at her heels, shared a quick look, silently agreed not to mention it and continued on into the night with the group. Jean Paul wondered if they could hail a cab or a carriage to get them further away from the circus grounds, but with their numbers knew they wouldn't all fit, along with that it might be unlikely one would even stop for them as they were still in their performance clothes and it was approaching 2:30AM. Iris believed reaffirmed they should go to Mr. Chickering’s home and Cecil agreed, noting it may be the best place for them and especially he was the only person they really knew in town. Iris said she didn't like just standing around and Jeremiah tried to reassure her that as far as he could tell, if they didn't move then the footsteps don’t either. Iris said Evelyn did not move when she was killed and Jean Paul noted she was alone. Theo asked why Evelyn was alone if the four of them were together and the three stood quiet for a moment before Iris finally said Evelyn “fell behind”. Theo, astute enough to pick up on what was not being said, understood something happened that resulted in them leaving Evelyn behind and remained silent as his fingers balled up into a fist. As Theo took that in, Jean Paul heard Evelyn’s voice as she chastised him and said she was dropped. As Theo understandingly said he was sure they did all they could, Cecil directed them to Mr. Chickering’s home, noting they were currently a few blocks down the road from the open space they rented for the circus. Before they started moving again, Jeremiah threw a knife down into the antsy movements of the footsteps still behind them and the knife twanged as it embed in the dirt, causing a scuffle of dirt as the footsteps appeared to go backwards. Jeremiah began to celebrate, almost stepping forwards as if to ward off the footsteps even further, but was stopped by Cecil as the footsteps stepped forward into its previous position without anyone moving for it to follow.

The group continued down the street, following the dim street lights through the dark, when they notice a constable out for his nightly patrols up ahead. As Cecil and Jeremiah continued to walk backwards to watch behind the group, they saw the passing glimpse of Evelyn move into the alleyways before Iris heard Evelyn apologize for making her scream. Iris, having already been hugging herself to ward off the cold, hugged herself tighter to contain a new shiver. The group continued to move, getting closer to the constable they spotted earlier, and those walking backwards watched as one of the footsteps veered off from behind them and headed along, what they could tell, was the path of the constable ahead of them they had just passed over. As that was pointed out to the group they all saw the small rises of dust as the footsteps stalked the constable and Jackson wondered if they should say anything. Jeremiah stepped away from the group, looking to get closer to the constables’ split path without crossing it, and threw a dagger into the tracks to get the footsteps' attention. The constable turned around, hearing the commotion, headed towards them and asked what they were doing, but as he followed back on the path the invisible footsteps met him in the middle and where they met, the constable blinked out of existence, immediately the sound of flesh rending was heard as the constable reappeared in a heap along the sidewalk. Jackson pulled Jeremiah back to the group while Jean Paul attempted to wipe the constables' footprints off the ground to see if that stopped the footsteps following, but found as they continued forward that the footsteps persisted behind them.

The group paused to wonder if something may be closer than Mr. Chickering’s that was open at this hour and Iris, aware of a nearby brothel, suggested it it as another option to the group. The group began to head that way and as they heard that the two sets of footprints, had now become three, Cecil wondered if bringing what they had following them into a place with more people was a good idea. Iris asked if they would rather sacrifice Mr. Chickering and Jeremiah said he was alright with that. Jean Paul halted them all first and asked if they should wonder what exactly it was that was following them, noting how there were stories of spirits of and ghosts, how it seemed to too much of a coincidence that two people had died and two sets of footsteps had joined the first. As he wondered if the first were Mr Chickering's, those at the front saw the last bits of Evelyn and the constable turning into an alley up ahead and Jackson said he wasn’t sure, but announced what he just saw up ahead. Iris said she did not have those answers, but if the footsteps were going to catch up she would like to have a door between them. Jean Paul leant down to assure Iris that he heard “her” too and that they would get out of this but when Iris said they never had to get out of something like this before said it would be a story to tell. Meanwhile, Cecil heard Evelyn’s voice asking about her pets, then grabbed Jeremiah’s shoulder for assurance and shared a look before they carrying on.

The group picked up speed as they continued to move, unsure how running might affect this but move quickly, and occasionally saw something, or heard a laugh or a monkey sound in the not too far distance. As they saw Mr. Chickering’s house come into view, Jean Paul heard Evelyn ask if he would protect his sister like he did with her, if he could protect Iris from her. Jean Paul told Evelyn to get out of his head, but she said no before her voice changed into something lower and gravelly as the voice warned it was behind him, following him, and would forever until it caught him. Jean Paul told it to get him and the voice replied for him to take a step back and retrace their steps. Jean Paul quickly warned the others to not retrace their steps, noting that he was sure they had all heard voices, and was hearing one now encouraging him to go backwards. Jackson and Theo said they had not heard anything and Jean Paul explained it was mimicking the voice of Evelyn. Jeremiah flabbergasted suggested he try walking on his hands, but when Jean Paul attempted to found nothing changed.

The group continued on and all saw the back of Evelyn and the constable turn into the gate of Mr. Chickering’s front yard, but could not see over the wall around his property. Jackson heard Evelyn as she asked him to stop Jean Paul, that all she wanted was him and she would leave them all alone and Jackson loudly claimed he was not scared of her. Iris checked with Jean Paul that he also saw the two figures disappear beyond the gate and Jean Paul noted he did. They approach the gated, found it was locked and Theo hurriedly stepped forward with his pipe prepared to break it down, but stopped when Jeremiah relented that he could open it, who then pulled out his lockpicking supplies and undid the lock. Jeremiah let everyone into the large and well manicured front yard, with a path up to the front doors about 30 feet away. The group attempted to close the gate between themselves and the footsteps still on the other side by locking it as they went, but when they moved up the driveway saw the footsteps continued to follow. As they paused Theo suggested eliminating their footsteps might be an idea and that he was strong enough to carry any of them but when Jean Paul said he tried walking on his hands with no change Theo noted that he was still on the ground. Theo, after asking, lifted Iris up, asked her to say if she could hear the footsteps when he took a step forward, and after doing so found Theo heard them, but Iris did not. Iris suggested they try wiping their steps but Jean Paul told the group he tried that after the constable with no luck. Cecil wondered if jumping might help them clear more distance in fewer steps and Jean Paul pointed out they could carry whoever was being targeted at the time and spare them from whatever was following. Cecil said Theo could maybe throw Iris, Jackson and maybe even Jeremiah to the doorstep and Iris wondered if that was necessary. Cecil believed it could be the only way to secure safety as anytime they walked they left a trail to be followed in, but it was pointed out one person would be separated far from the group.

Theo hefted up Jack, having not yet put Iris down, and prepared to walk to the front door of Mr. Chickering’s home. The group argued as Theo offered to drop off the two and return for the others, but as they talked, Jean Paul noticed the antsy movements of the footsteps who had to remain in one place as they discussed. They eventually all decided to walk together to the front door, hoping Mr Chickering might have answers. Theo offered to carry another and Jean Paul quickly climbed onto Theo’s back. Iris asked Theo to be put down as she thought she was in less danger and Theo complied, only when she reassured she would be ok and would let him know if anything changed. Jean Paul assured her he would be on the ground with her again soon as he saw if this changed anything for him, though he doubted it was that simple. As the made their way neither Jean Paul or Jackson who were carried heard anything, but those who walked hear three sets of footsteps behind them. Jean Paul moved up on Theo's shoulders, asked Evelyn if she was still there but got no response. Theo took the first step onto the wood deck around the front door and heard a ghostly footstep behind him on the wood as well and very close to him. Theo rushed a few more steps and hurled Jackson and Jean Paul up onto the deck, with the footsteps following suit. Behind them, Jeremiah, Cecil and Iris still saw two stationary footsteps that still anxiously kicked up dust as they waited. The group eventually gave in and all met on the deck in front of the door, relieved as nothing particularly bad happened.

Jackson, safely on the deck, went to the door and began pounding on the door but a minute went by without a response. Still looking out over the yard, Jeremiah asked if the door is unlocked and Jackson found it unlocked. Theo opened the front door, peered inside and found the space was dark. Jean Paul tried the light switch and finding it didn't work pulled out a lighter instead. The group recognized the entryway and parlor from early conversations of business with Mr. Chickering, his home well furnished as a symbol of his wealth, but as they looked around, led by the light of Jean Paul’s lighter, the shadows around them seemed darker than usual and almost gooey. Jackson suggested they move into the parlor and as they closed the door behind them noticed the footsteps seemed to have disappeared. Jean Paul worried they had trapped themselves as they would have to retrace their steps to get out of the room but Jackson pointed out the windows were options for an exit, while Iris pointed out that the footsteps did not follow them in so they may be safe.

While The group began to look around the room for anything of use, Theo recalled old conversations with Mr. Chickering about literature, that he had a preference for mythology and odd occurrences like StoneHenge and the Bermuda Triangle, notably that he had recently bought a few books not altogether legally. Theo also recalled while the parlor was his main place to keep books, he also had a private library upstairs. After informing the group what he knew they agreed they should try finding Mr. Chickering and tried to call out to him first, but got no response. Jean Paul went to look to a window as an exit, but found there was a 15 foot drop and was not feasible. Jean Paul said they were “colossally fucked” and pointed out that, while they had not been hearing the footsteps during their search in this room, it was likely they are waiting for the group just outside the doors. Jean Paul noted at the very least he had been actively threatened against retracing his steps but when Iris asked if he suggested they keep running forever forward as an alternative admitted he had no idea. As the twins talked, Jeremiah stepped away from the group to the door, along with Theo and Cecil, opened it and told Evie that he knew she was mad about him, not helping with chores and such and asked if they were alright before he stepped through the doorway. Jeremiah safely crosses the threshold and, though he did not hear footsteps, did hear Evie’s voice say she was fine, that she wanted Jean for her vengeance, for her murder, that she was dropped and could have asked for help to drag her along, but instead was left behind.

Jeremiah pointed back into the room at Jean Paul and told him he fucked up, saying all Evie seemed to want is him. Iris, coming to her brother’s defense, did not believe Evelyn was entirely behind what is going on because Evelyn did not kill Evelyn. Jeremiah shrugged and said that apparently Jean Paul did, and Evie’s voice returned to remind him she was dropped, that Jean could have asked for help dragging her, words that Jeremiah repeated as they were said. Jean Paul stopped Jeremiah, explained how Evelyn had been hysterical after the death of her monkey, as they had seen before they left the tent, felt something breathing down on them, put Evelyn to sleep and tried carrying her with them, but as they felt it catching them put her down, took a few steps away to see what would happen and saw she was murdered. Jean Paul quickly added Evelyn could not have known what happened to her though, as she was unconscious when it happened, so whatever was speaking to them was not Evelyn. Jeremiah told Jean Paul to step through the door if he really believed that and Iris defended him, saying it sounded as though Jeremiah would have preferred both Evelyn and Jean die tonight as it was following both of them and was bound to catch them both. As the two continued to argue, Jackson stepped through the doorway, coming to join Jeremiah without issue. Jean Paul began to apologize for Evelyn, but Cecil stepped forward and smacked Jean across the face with the head of his cane. Jean jolted as if to lunge for Cecil but stopped himself as Cecil went to say that, even if the twins only joined for a job or money, they joined a family either way. While Cecil did not believe he should die for it, Jean Paul did leave one of their family behind and for that he needed to own up for. Jean Paul agreed and apologized to Evelyn and the group before asking if they could move on to try and find Mr. Chickering.

As the group moved out of the room together without issue Theo carried Jean Paul on his back again, which he was grateful for, as they began to go upstairs to search and though there were no footsteps following them, felt the darkness lean over them and pressing in as they moved. They moved through the hall, passing his bedroom, office and bathroom on the way, and seeing the hall lined with both electric sconces and candelabras. Jean Paul lit the candelabras with his lighter as they moved and Jeremiah pulled down one to carry with them. They came to the first door, which Cecil recognized as Mr. Chickering’s office, and knocked, but heard no response. Jackson opened the door, with Jeremiah close behind, peered into the room and saw the darkness was nearly all consuming. Jeremiah leaned his arm with the candle inside and as the inky darkness seemed to split from the small flame found Mr. Chickering, unconscious, with his hand over a book that appeared to ooze the darkness around them. Jackson stepped into the room, followed by Jeremiah, approached Mr. Chickering, poked his face, saw he didn't stir and that his skin was cold to the touch. Cecil followed close after Jeremiah as the darkness hunched in closer over the darkness, like it was trying to snuff it out, though the flame continued to shed a dim light. As the darkness appeared to press in on the people in the room Jeremiah and Jackson managed to fight off the fear, but Cecil overcome became temporarily mad as he saw and heard his mother in a dark corner, at the edges of his vision. As Cecil called to her and tried to see her better Jeremiah handed the candle to Jackson before grabbing Cecil firmly, told him to get it together and slapped him to snap him out of it, causing Cecil to become more aware and though he still saw his mother was able to get a better handle on it.

Cecil, Jackson and Jeremiah moved closer to Mr. Chickering’s form and Jackson poked his face once more as he relayed what they were seeing back to the others in the hallway. Jeremiah reached for the hand Mr. Chickering had on the book oozing darkness and tried to pull it away but found the darkness resisted him and was unable to do it himself. Cecil tried with his cane as a lever, but was unable to budge the hand either and Jackson followed suit with no luck either. Jeremiah asked for Cecil’s help to possibly try and drag Mr. Chickering out of the room, but even with their combined efforts, the darkness was just that much stronger. Theo asked what they were attempting and, as they explained how they hoped to move Mr. Chickering, Jackson and Jeremiah felt the darkness begin to press on their minds as well, but fought it off once more. Jeremiah took a quick look at the page the book was open to, uncovered by the man’s hand, and by some miracle recognized the words as Latin, and knowing a bit of it recognized incantations that appeared to summon something dark. He quickly deciphered that the passage read, something along the lines of

*“He who opens the book is followed by he who walks behind. He who walks behind follows the closest footsteps. He who walks behind always follows”.*

The three quickly left the room, returned to the hallway and Jackson reiterated what they saw, while Jeremiah told the others what he read from the book, which none of them knew anything related to the *“man who walks behind”.* Iris asked if they could burn the book or even the whole house and when Jean Paul said they were taught not to burn things like Ouija boards or such books as it was bad juju Iris pointed out there was already bad juju there. Hearing all of this, Theo placed Jean Paul on the banister of the stairs with the others, asked for a candle from Jackson before heading closer to the office. Before he stepped in Jeremiah warned him the dark was strange in there, that it would try to get him and offered to go with him and Theo asked him to remain before making clear his anger towards whatever it was that messed with them. Theo stepped in and even with the warning and the candle felt the oppressive press of the darkness, but managed to fight it off with the righteous fury of having two of his family taken from him that night. Theo quickly found Mr. Chickering as he was described, noticed he was dressed as he was that morning as opposed to what he wore that night, checked him over and found while distinctly catatonic was alive with a very weak pulse. With an apology for the indignity Theo placed the candle in his mouth and took hold of Mr. Chickering’s legs. Theo started to drag him out of the room and when his connection to the book began to resist pulled harder until he was released tumbled back into the hallway causing the darkness in the room to ripple and roil, like it was being boiled, before it collapsed in on itself and disappeared, leaving only familiar shadows of nighttime remaining.

As Theo asked someone to check on Mr. Chickering cried out as he abruptly woke, confused as to why everyone was here even as they were relieved to find him alive. Jean Paul, still sitting on the banister, said he has some questions to answer, specifically about the book. Mr. Chickering said he bought it at auction, that it was previously owned by interesting people and that he loved anything interesting. He went on that he read about “he who walks behind”, saw the incantations and thought it would be interesting to see if it worked and Jackson noted his joke got one of them killed. Jeremiah headed back into the room, ripped off his shirt, threw it around the book, grabbed it, tossed the shirt and the book in the trashcan and used the candle to light it on fire. Theo took a purposeful step forward and heard no footstep as he did while also noticing the the gooey shadows seemed like they were beginning to fade. Jackson went to the window in the office, opened it and called out to Evelyn, Sipho and the constable, if they were still angry and got no response. Jean Paul told Mr. Chickering that his actions had caused a lot of struggle tonight and warned if he wished to leave his home that he would tell them what he read from the book and what he planned with "he who walks behind". Theo said there was something more to note, confirming that Mr. Chickering had come to visit them that afternoon and when Cecil asked if he recalled the show that he never went to the show. Iris told him that someone who looked like him did and Theo noted he took the wallet from Cecil and may have been this “he who walks behind”.

The group agreed they should leave and Mr. Chickering offered that he had another home nearby they could go to. Jean Paul stepped down from the banister and was relieved to find that he was not instantly killed before he took Mr. Chickering by the collar, told him Evelyn and a constable were murdered and asked if he had a way they could be kept from legal repercussions. Mr. Chickering insisted he had no idea what he was talking about, while Jeremiah looked to Cecil and let a blade slip into his palm at the ready. Cecil told Jean Paul to let Mr. Chickering down, but Jean Paul argued that this man is the one responsible for the murder of their friend. Before he could say more Mr. Chickering kicked him between the legs and Jean Paul took it with barely a wince. Mr. Chickering demanded to be let go, threatened to have them all arrested and Cecil told him again to put the man down. Jean Paul lifted the man just a bit further before he dropping him and Mr. Chickering stood up and insisted he may have started the problems tonight, but he was not responsible for what happened when he was not present, called this disrespectful and headed for the stairs.

Jeremiah looked to Cecil and Theo, inclined to stop Mr. Chickering, but the man noticed the move and threatened him as well. Cecil put his cane in Mr. Chickering’s path, asked if they might accompany him to which and Mr. Chickering agreed warning if anyone tried to touch him again he would have them hanged. As they headed outside Jeremiah moved beside Mr. Chickering, turned on his heel to stand in his path, repeated the incantation that he saw in the book and that they knew what he did in an attempt to intimidate Mr. Chickering, but was unphased as he told Jeremiah as he told him he was not the one being followed. Jeremiah said then it was fine if the circus continued to live on his property for the foreseeable future and Mr. Chickterting shrugged and said the man was not his shadow so he had no worries. Jeremiah agreed and said they would see as the group continued on to Mr. Chickering’s second home.

As they walk through the night, Theo heard familiar footsteps following just behind him.