Part 27: Ambitions of the Sacraments

Previously in the Vines Inquiry— Reading deeper into Blevin’s Inquiry research at the diner, Frank and Harlow were shocked to find Harlow’s parents (Lillian and Thomas Voorhees) photographed at an Inquiry meeting as teenagers. Meanwhile, Jean the waitress remarked on several strange deaths that had happened on Carlisle in years past… A lot of them during blizzards much like this one.

Jean shrugged and walked off, likely to refill her own Christmas coffee.

“I can’t believe my… My parents,” said Harlow. “My parents still go to church every Sunday.” Lillian and Thomas Voorhees smiled up at them from the picture.

“And probably to an Inquiry meeting right after,” said Blevin. Frank and Harlow glared at him. “I’ve never actually been, but most people are off on Sundays. It would be convenient. It’s just a theory! And why didn’t we get something called a Christmas coffee?!” 

“Lower your voice,” said Frank. He hunched over with Harlow, doing a poor job of inconspicuously looking around the diner. “This is worse than I thought. It isn’t just my parents. My family. Can’t be. Even if people are new. Amateurs. Or at the least whatever the secret society rendition of a virgin is.”

“Initiate,” said Blevin and Harlow. 

“With all this,” Frank took the book back and tapped the film reel. “They’ve been doing it for more than forty years. We’re up against pros. Not to say it’s hopeless.” 

“Oh, of course not!” said Harlow. “After all, you’re a hotel manager! You can comp them to death. Or hey! I’m a former cheerleader with a sizeable Instagram following. Maybe I can ask them to do a collab up on the Hughes House path and one of them will fall off the cliffs! The possibilities are endless!” 

The tension thickened around them like overworked pancake batter; or, colloquially, McCroy’s pancake batter. Blevin sighed and seesawed his fork between two fingers. Finally, he perked up again. An idea?

“Harlow, I didn’t know you were on Instagram. What’s your @?”

She picked up her (butter) knife, only stopping herself from stabbing the man across the table at the last second.

“And you’ve got knife skills? I’m sure those will come in handy when we’re fighting against the Gifts. Or is that wrong?” said Blevin. “I just assumed we’d be fighting them. Have I misread this whole meeting? Are we hoping to join up with the Inquiry before the New World comes, cause actually I’m way more prepared for that.”