Chapter One: Under Pressure

Chris: You slap your hand against the fire alarm. For a long, terrible moment, nothing happens. You feel fear and dread seize your chest and your heart slams against your ribs. Then, the loud wail of the alarm cuts through the air and relief washes over you. It takes a few seconds for the crowd to react to the noise, but slowly they start to react. Those closest to the stage are still focused on Lacy, but they start to look around, confused. The bouncers and bartenders react first, snaking the stupor out of their heads. They start bellowing at guests, and bodily throwing a few out of the doors. They wade through the crowd, shoving people toward the exits. The waitresses and girls on the floor all run towards the employee doors and pile up as they all try to get through at the same time. On stage, Lacy is standing absolutely still. You see a wave of panic sweep over her. She is frozen in place, her eyes wide. The group of men at table 13 all react violently, as if something has just been yanked out of their chests. They double over and seem to be in pain.

After pulling the alarm and seeing the men double over in pain it is clear to me that something is pretty fucked up with these guys.  I rush to catch up with Momma.  

"Momma,  I think we should get the hell out of here......Something is definitely fucked up with these guys at Table 13."  

In the chaos I again take my shotgun out and reload the shell I just expelled....I feel like I may need this again.

Momma doesn't want to be alone with the men from Table 13 but she doesn't want to leave. Momma D takes her loaded revolver from its holster. She points it in front of her and slowly takes a few steps backward toward the exit. Momma D keeps her eyes on the men from Table 13 and the man on stage.

Momma says to Christopher, "Well, Shaw, you got a plan? Shit is about to get real bad in here; I feel it in my bones."

Both of you can move slowly and carefully towards the exit, paying close attention to your surroundings.

The club is about half empty by this point. There's still a large crowd of people fighting to get out the main doors. The fire alarm is still blaring into the relative silence of the club. You can very faintly hear sirens off in the distance.

A few of the men at table 13 have stood up and are recovering and starting to look around. Their eyes lock on the empty stage and a look of horror, shock, and fear. Then they look towards the two of you and anger slowly creeps over their faces. A few of them start to walk towards the stage. The man on the stage is slowly getting to his feet. He raises his hand towards you and brandishes a wicked knife. The blade is probably a foot long and has some nasty serrations along the edges. As the stage lights catch and glimmer off the blade, you can see dark etchings in strange patterns. The man shakes his head and starts to mumble. You can't really make out what he's saying. He takes a step towards you and you can see that his limbs are shaking. With every step, the shaking becomes more and more evident. His face is red and flushed. Sweat is pouring down his skin. He's slashing the knife back and forth at you, but he's still about 5 feet away. He's moving towards you with shuffling, trembling steps. Then, you realize he's been talking this entire time, but you couldn't hear him before under the panic and noise of the club and the wail of the fire alarm. Now, you can hear him repeating the same phrase over and over, his voice rising to a shriek, chilling you to the bone. He's screaming as he approaches you, "THE CHOSEN SHALL BIND THE KEY! THE CHOSEN SHALL BIND THE KEY! THE CHOSEN SHALL BIND THE KEY!"

He lunges towards you, his knife flashing in the club lights.

Chris: you may use your readied action if you wish.

Depending on the result of Chris's decision and action, you may both make Reflex saves to dodge out of the way.

Christopher's shotgun blast fails to stop the man holding the knife. Momma sees him advances and...

....oh look....a spider web on the ceiling...it's so pretty...

Chris: Your focus is split between the crazed man on stage and the men from table 13 slowly approaching you. Momma is behind you, closer to the employees only door. Your eyes dart back and forth, taking in the empty club and the bar. There are still 6 men back at table 13, still struggling to their feet. Another 4 are winding through the overturned tables and chairs and are still about 50 feet away. The crazed man on stage is maybe 3 long running steps away.

Momma: You exhale slowly and look past what is happening in the physical world. You see a shadowy vision of you and Chris standing in the club, the men from table 13 surrounding you, each one holding a knife or a pistol. There is a flash, and you are dead on the ground. The vision blurs and you see youself and Chris fighting your way out of the Hussy, guns blazing, the strange men falling dead at your feet. You exit the club and see Lacy standing there in a long flowing gown. She is surrounded by tall lean figures, cloaked in shadow. Behind you, you feel heat rising and hear the crackling of flames. The vision blurs again, and and you see you and Chris running through the Hussy's back stage and climbing up to to the lighting rigs. The men from table 13 are below you, searching, but they seem confused. You see Chris moving towards a ladder that leads to a roof hatch. The the shadows swirl again, and you are faced with the man from earlier...the one that knows your name. He grins at you. "Hurry up kiddo. Everything's going sideways fast." He snaps his fingers. You're back in the Hussy. About 3 seconds have passed. There is a bright flash. One of the club lights suddenly burns out and bursts into yellow, green, and red sparks. All the men approaching you flinch, cover their eyes, and take a few steps back.