Aftermath:

The rhythmic patter of raindrops could be heard from outside the drawing room. It had been raining ever since Johnny and the other adventurers returned from Antarctica.

 

The past week had not been easy, barely sleeping, barely eating and barely able to think about anything other than what happened.

 

He tried to drown out the thoughts, focusing on the raindrops. And the faint hiss and crackle of the nearby fireplace. And then the familiar voice that spoke.

 

'Interesting' the voice said as the sound of shuffling photo paper could be heard.

 

Johnny was only half focused on the voice. He rocked slightly in his chair.

 

'The architecture is certainly remarkable, vastly different from the other sites that have been discovered' the voice said. Looking through further photographs.

 

Johnny stared intently at the floor, focusing on the ornate patterns that twisted and turned and shifted.

 

Just like-

 

He flinched suddenly, clamping his hands to his head.

 

His surroundings began to drown out, like he had been submerged in liquid.

 

It wasn't until he felt a hand on his shoulder and the voice cut through the liquid fog of his mind.

 

'It's okay, you're not there anymore' the voice murmured softly.

 

His eyes met the brilliant green of Arthur's. Who knelt down reassuringly. His soft features and bushy beard highlighted by the warm glow of the fireplace. His moustache formed a half smile, though it was one that held concern.

 

'I'm sorry' Johnny rasped. Trying to wipe the beads of sweat from his forehead with his calloused, clammy hands.

 

'You've been through a lot' Arthur replied, standing up and leaning on the desk.

 

'I just can't stop thinking about the temple, that creature, all those tentacles'. He shuddered.

 

'Shoggoths will break even the strongest of minds' Arthur said, slowly pacing around the room.

 

'We barely escaped from that temple before it attacked. The dynamite held it off. But then' Johnny gasped, closing his eyes 'The Baron'.

 

'You and I both know that megalomaniac would meet an unfortunate end' Arthur replied 'After what happened in China it's astounding that he could even brave the Antarctic'.

 

Johnny began to slowly rock again.

 

'You should have contacted me' Arthur sighed.

 

'I thought I could handle it'

 

'Not every expedition will end in finding ancient treasure and fighting off a few mummies' Arthur sighed 'There are some places humans aren't meant to explore'.

 

He looked at Johnny, who's large bulky form filled out most of the armchair. His skin was paler than usual, dark bags had formed underneath his eyes due to the lack of sleep, his moustache and chin unkempt and dotted with stubble.

 

Arthur moved to the plush armchair parallel to Johnny.

 

'Tell me about the nightmares' Arthur said.

 

Johnny sighed, leaning back slightly in the armchair.

 

'They always start the same' he sighed 'I'm inside the temple. Looking at the bright beacon, all those moving images of planets and moons surrounding it. Then I hear the other's voices, Pippin, Harry, Kilroy, Jing Lee's. It's like they're all trapped within the walls.' he sighed again, taking a deep breath.

 

'Suddenly, the creature bursts through the floor. All those shifting eyes and mouths screaming and gnashing. I run, taking different paths in each nightmare. But it always finds me, it's always right behind me. And then...'

 

He cupped his hands around his face, silently sobbing.

 

'It's trauma induced by the phsycic and psychological properties of the creature and the temple' Arthur exclaimed 'It's not easy to deal with'.

 

'I just want it to stop'

 

'And it will, I'm going to make sure of it' Arthur said calmly.

 

Johnny looked at him, somewhat puzzled, somewhat relieved.

 

'There's two options for this' Arthur murmured 'I can either teach you how to subdue the trauma, negate the psychological effects of your experience'.

 

'or?' Johnny said, looking worried.

 

'I can erase the memories' Arthur said, leaning forward in the armchair 'You and the others will forget the whole experience, it will be like it never happened. It's your choice'.

 

Johnny sighed 'We saw so much there, some of it quite beautiful. I don't know how the others would feel, especially Kilroy. After what he saw'.

 

'What do you mean?' Arthur replied.

 

'He found this chamber, some sort of observatory or astronomy chamber. There were maps and charts and carved into walls, so many stars and planets we never knew about'.

 

'Maybe it's for the best that the knowledge found there isn't recorded' Arthur said concerned.

 

Johnny shook his head 'He kept talking about a particular star map. Said it matched a map found at another site in the Oceania region. He said it had the same red star'.

 

Arthur's eyes widened, a strange surge of cold dred slithered down his spine.

 

'Did you just say a red star?'

Done