Raven's Gate, The Graphic Novel ( PDFDrive )

h oa nrtohwo niyt z the power of five: book one the graphic novel adapted by t o n y l e e illustrated by dom reardon & lee o’connor



Ipswich Station I’m making Ten past six. a mistake. He was supposed Three pounds. to be here at Not really a quarter to. fortune, is it. I thought You you weren’t off then, coming. Matt? Oh yes? And why did you think that? Because you’re twenty five minutes late. Because I’m cold —

– because you’re as reliable as a local bus. I got held up. You haven’t had second thoughts, have you? You’ve got nothing to worry about, matt. it’s going to be easy. Charlie Young Offenders’ told me… Institution, yes. This is Look, it’s easy. Charlie, your The warehouse is older brother, stacked with CDs, DVDs and video games. yes? There’s no alarm and only one security The one in prison? guard – – and he’s old and half asleep most of the time anyway. You could break in with a bent paper clip and walk out with a couple hundred’s worth of equipment! Are you sure about this? if we get caught— Look – they don’t even have CCTV. if you’re going to be such a big wuss, I’m not sure I even want to hang out with you. What’s the big deal?

You’re my I’ll come. best friend. You’re my only friend. There’s no big deal. Cool – because we’re there. Relax. it’s – and an adventure, we’re in. isn’t it? An hour from now we’ll be laughing, with pockets full of cash! What’s that knife for? Don’t worry – it’s just to get us in. stick it between the crack and frame, fiddle with the bolt –

You head that way. Why don’t Go for the small, we stick expensive stuff. I’ll together? meet you back here. Don’t worry – –Hnf– I won’t leave you! “Come on, Matthew —” “— we’re going to be late.” Something’s wrong … smell burning … wha— What the hell do you think you’re doing! Don’t try anything funny – the police are on their way – you tripped the alarm when you opened that door!

What’s your I… name? Are you alone? How many of you are here? –Hng– We’ve What have got to you done! Why move. did you have to do that? You didn’t have What else was I to do? to stab him! He’d seen you! I only did it for you – let’s go! Where’s To hell your mobile? with that! Stay if you want, I’m We need to call for out of here! help! You can’t— Watch me!

Don’t it wasn’t move. me! I’m Don’t going to move! get help. it was him! He made me come! And he killed the guard! He did it! He did it! “He did it!”

Sit down. Out! My name is Detective Superintendant Mallory. Are you all right?

Name? Matt. I’m afraid you’re Matthew … going to have to give Freeman. me your full name – I need it for the report. You seem Yes. She’s to have made my aunt. quite a name for yourself. I know. is he – is You live at he dead? 27 Eastfield Terrace? With a guardian – a Ms Davis? You’re fourteen years old – and you’re in a lot of trouble. The guard Right now he’s you stabbed in hospital, and has a name – he’ll be there Mark Adams. He’s for a while – but married with he won’t die. two kids.

I didn’t That’s not stab him. I didn’t what your friend Kelvin told us. He said know anyone it was your knife and was going to your plan – and that get hurt! That you panicked when wasn’t the caught. plan! He’s lying! I know. The guard told us what happened. He heard you argue and knows you wanted to stay. But you’re still responsible – and you’ll be charged as an accessory. do you understand what that means? Will I go You’re fourteen. to prison? You’re too young. But you might get a custodial sentence. Look, it’s too late to talk about this now. Are you hungry? Anything you need? Don’t be scared. The security We’ll look after you guard – Mark tonight, and Tomorrow Adams. I know it doesn’t make we’ll try to make any difference sense of this. and you probably don’t believe But right now we me anyway – need your clothes – – but they’re evidence. I am. Will you tell him I’m sorry?

“So, where is he?”

He’s in shock? I’m the one who should be! Getting a call in the middle of the night? He’s upstairs, I’m a asleep. it’s possible respectable he may be in shock. person – all this business with We gave him a knives and tranquilizer. burglary… I understand Brian Conran. you share your He’s in bed, not any relation to the boy. house with a He’s a milkman, has partner? to be up first thing in the morning. I see from A car crash. Matthew’s record He was eight years that his parents old. They were living in London then – his died. mother and father were killed, but he’d if you want the truth, Nothing but they were never very friendly. trouble! stayed behind. Never had time for me, and No brothers or when they died in that sisters, relatives stupid accident… of any kind. I was his mother’s half- Well, if it wasn’t for me and sister – I’d only Brian – we took him in. Brought met them a few him up on our own. And what times. did we get for it? He had never been in trouble before – he started missing school a year after he came to ipswich. Are you blaming me? it was nothing to do with me! it was that Kelvin Johnson, lives down the road!

Look – it’s Maybe eleven at night, you could and it’s been a come back in long day. Thank the morning you for coming then. in, Ms. Davis. Social Services Would you will be here, he’ll like to see Matthew? also need legal representation. There’s hardly any point but if you come if he’s asleep, here at nine is there? o’clock– I can’t come at nine. I have to make Brian his breakfast when he comes in from his rounds. I’ll come in after that. Right.

So hot. Thirsty. Water. Can’t move. Feel like I’ve been tranquilized. Come on … just a few … almost there … … burning? What the– Did – did I do that? Just a weird dream. Sleep.

One week later. London. Matthew, you have to understand that this was a very cowardly crime, involving violence. Kelvin Johnson We have to There’s a will be sent to the Crown take into account new government Court and, being seventeen, losing your parents programme that has will be imprisoned in a young suddenly and at such been made specifically for people like you. offenders’ institution. an early age for your behaviour. The Leaf Project – although You are younger, Liberty and Education you could still be locked up even so, you for three years in a secure need the strength Achieved through to overcome these Fostering– training centre or secure problems – or else children’s home. you will continue down this path and end up in prison. I did what I And I’m afraid could! You were your social worker, never grateful! Miss Hughes, feels You were never the same. You’ve left nice! You never us with no other even tried! alternative – LEAF is your last option. I’ve already been fostered once – and it wasn’t exactly a success.

Leaf is a fostering Many children would programme. We have be delighted to work volunteers living in remote parts of the country, all with animals and far from urban areas. crops on a farm. The “L” stands for But to Liberty – but it has join, you have to to be earned. They volunteer – and may ask you to help the alternative – with light manual labour. You mean – I have to work? it’s a minimum We’ll be in of one year. After constant touch with the foster that we assess parent. They have the situation. to make weekly What if reports to I don’t like the police – – and your it? Aunt will visit you as soon as you feel ready. – is being locked up for three years. How long would I have to stay there? I don’t know how I’ll afford it – I mean, there are going to be travelling expenses. And who’s going to look after Brian while I’m away? I have responsibilities, you know– All right – you can send me anywhere you want to. Anywhere would be better than being with her and Brian. So when do I get to meet my foster parent?

“Her name is Jayne Deverill –” “– and she should be here any minute now.”

Old lady. Easy pickings. Good score. You! Give me the bag, bitch! Now! And I want the necklace!

Hck – uh – huh – “I’m very sorry I’m late –”

– it’s very You had trouble I’m very glad to meet rude of me – getting here? you, my dear. I have and I deplore of course heard so The coach was much about you. rudeness. late. I would have called from the bus, Do you know but I don’t carry Yorkshire at all? a mobile. We’re not as up to No. I’ve date in the Yorkshire never been countryside as you there. are down here. it’s very Lesser Malling quiet – but you’ll is the name of the village. it’s a bit out get used to it of the way. The nearest in no time. town is Greater Malling – and nobody’s heard Can I really take him with of that either. me today? Yes. And we will make our first visit in Good luck, Matthew. six weeks, to see how I hope it works out he is settling in. for you. There are some final forms you’ll need to fill in – but then the two of you can be on your way. Time to go – – We don’t want to miss the coach!

That’s our bus. it’s a – But he body, sir. seems to have killed Local lad – himself. Will Scott. Pushed that He’s well knife, inch known – a drug by inch – addict, who’s been involved in a string of muggings around here. Any idea who did this? Well that’s the funny part, sir. it’s still unclear how it was done, or why –

“– into his own heart.” I suppose you’re wondering Are you hungry, about me. Matthew? I am your legal guardian. No, thank you. You are a thief and a delinquent – in Yorkshire But I’m willing I’ll expect you to forget your to eat what you’re given. We don’t past – waste food in – it’s your my house. future that is more a concern to me. if you do as you’re told, we’ll get on. if you disobey me, you try to defy me – – let me assure you that you will be more miserable than you can imagine. do you understand? Yes. You have to remember that nobody cares about you. You have no parents – no family. With little education and no prospects – I’m really all you have left. “Where’s Matthew?!”

Come on, I don’t Matthew – we’re want to going to be go. late! I don’t feel well. I don’t want to go. What do you Please Dad, mean, you don’t don’t make want to go? me… But you’ll enjoy We can’t the wedding! There’ll be just leave other children there, and there’s a special marquee him here. with a magician and balloons! it’s not a big Don’t problem – I’ll phone go without Rosemary next door. She’ll look after him me – for the rest of the day. – if you go, We’re you’ll never here. come back.

Good evening, This is Noah. Mrs Deverill. He works for me on the farm. Welcome to He has very little Yorkshire. I’m conversation, so I very pleased to meet you. wouldn’t bother talking to him. Get in the car – “– it’s time you saw This is it. your new home.” Lesser Malling is ten minutes up the road. I’ll show it to you when you’ve settled in a little more. But we live the other way.

it may not look like much, but it’s my home and it does well enough for me. Of course, there are no computer games or a television here. But once you start working, you’ll find you have no time for these things. We go to bed early My ancestor. Her name was in the country. She looks like Jayne, like mine. me, doesn’t she? You’ll get She was also She burned used to our ways in time. a Deverill. to death. There have been Deverills in this part of Yorkshire for three hundred years. They say that when the wind blows in the right direction, you can still hear the screams. Let me show you upstairs.

They made me decorate I dried the flowers All poisonous – but with such for you. myself – belladonna, lovely colours. oleander and mistletoe. Three of my favourites. And this aahhh! is Asmodeus yes … – my cat. the blood. What’s happening … … feel sick…

What? where did that door… Standing stones? in a house? I don’t understand … … a knife? Who’s holding it? the floor – it’s exploding! The heat – it’s burning me!

What’s wrong He can’t! with him? Cure him, Mrs He has Deverill – it is your pneumonia. responsibility. See He may die. that he lives! Drink this. –gah– No…

No! So you’ve woken up at last. What happened? You were ill. Pneumonia, a touch of pleurisy. But it’s all behind you now. You gave me A snake? something to What are you drink – there talking about? was a snake– You’ve been having bad dreams! I would imagine it comes from watching too much television. I’m hungry. You can rest Tomorrow, but I expect you are – after that I want you haven’t eaten for you up on your feet. three days – that’s The fresh air will how long you were do you good. unconsious. I’ll bring up And anyway – some tea.

“– it’s time you I really began work.” can’t stay here another year. Not even –Hnf– another week! I should hitchhike to Matthew! London. I could lose Lunch! myself there. in two years I’ll be sixteen and then… Out of the There’s kitchen please, something I want you to do for me Asmodeus. this afternoon, Matthew. I’m cleaning in fact, I have the pigs. a task for you that you might enjoy. I’d like you to collect something for me from the chemist in Lesser Malling. I know what you’re doing. One day you’ll learn that being rude to people older and wiser than you won’t do you any good.

What do you A package, You were want me to addressed to me. married? What You can go there pick up? happened to after lunch. your husband? There’s an old bicycle in the barn you can use that belonged to my husband. Henry disappeared. We’d only Henry Lutterworth. been married a few months when The woods are he went for a walk very thick around in the woods and here – you can easily never came back. get swallowed up. There have always it’s quite likely been Deverills in Lesser he stumbled on a Malling. married or not, bog and drowned. we keep our name. Henry left me hive hall and all of his money in his will. if his name But the point was Lutterworth, of this is that if I was you, I’d steer why do you well clear of the call yourself woods. Deverill? Remember now. The chemist.

Hey! “Lesser Malling is ten minutes up the road.” “I’ll show it to you when you’ve settled in a little more. But we live the other way.”

How nice to I’m too old see you back for primary on your feet, school. Matthew. My name is Claire Deverill – you’re staying with my sister. is this the boy? it is indeed, Miss Creevy. I am the head teacher at the primary school here in Lesser Malling. You may be joining us soon. I – I need it’s over to find the there – next to the sweet chemist. shop.

–Gah– it’s an I’ve come We’ve all eye. The vet to collect been looking requested it something for forward to it for tests. Mrs Deverill. so very much. My name is Barker. I hope I’ll be seeing more of you. Can I help You must be in a village you? Matthew then. like this – it’s We’ve all been always nice looking forward to have new to meeting you. blood. Just get on the bike, get out of here –

You’re Matthew Listen to me, Freeman, aren’t Matthew Freeman. You don’t want to you? be hanging around They sent you on this this village. You don’t want project? to be anywhere near here. Do you – hey! understand me? if you know what’s good for you, you’ll get away. Go away as far as you can and don’t come back. Do you hear me? You need to…

A dream? Matthew! They’re waiting for me. Matthew! I have to reach them. Running out of time. No!

– A dark wing There’s that is folding something dark around me – and terrible out there – – And trapping them. I’m coming! Whoa–

Whoa! Aw, man – What could that dream be going on in the middle of again. Every time a wood? I fall a little longer. I wonder what will happen when I hit the… is that whispering? A soft electronic hum – and distant whispers… “You don’t want to be anywhere near here, understand me?” I wonder what’s going on.

I wonder what’s going on out there… I Still can’t make out the words… hold on – – Mrs Deverill’s landrover has gone. is she in the woods, part of whatever’s going on? Am I alone at the farm? What the— She wasn’t pointing last time! Now I know that picture’s odd!

I’ll need money though – there must be some here – maybe her handbag. if she’s not here She’ll have – that means I can hidden it– get out of here! I can go to London. By dawn I’ll be at the motorway, I can hitchhike south. Woah!

and That’ll hold the basket down! That should She’ll be keep you still back soon! for a while! Got to act fast. Find some money, The get out of here… whispering’s stopped. Oh, my – it’s my god – parent’s funeral. it’s me.

What’s this – a clipping marked “Confidential”? What’s confidential about me? “Demonstrated precognitive abilities which would seem beyond…” Precognitive? it’s definitely time to leave! No more –hnf– reading!

I don’t care if Five roads. One the police catch me to the farm, one – put me in secure to Lesser Malling – that leaves three detention – choices. – Anything’s better than How did she have my picture? here! And a secure police report… Aw, no – – I’ve gone around in a circle!

I’ll try the left one then! Two in the morning already? impossible! That Four down – was two miles of one to go – straight road! – and it loops me again to the start! I can’t have gone in a circle this time! Five roads – I’ll ride past the all lead to the farm – follow that signpost. This road away from can’t be. this post!

Nobody’s back yet. Good. Hills are –hnf– I don’t I won’t good. Not –hnf– understand. get anywhere This can’t be! had to climb tonight. a hill… “He was in my I’ll just room last night.” have to take my chances with Mrs Deverill.

THE NEXT MORNING I think he found the it was a photographs. mistake keeping them there. Perhaps. But there’s something else I’m worried about. Matthew is stronger than he was when he first came here. I think he – it’s only for may be starting a few weeks and to work things out. We could lock then we’’ll be him underground, done with him. the crypt in the No. Right now church – the boy thinks he’s ordinary, with no idea of whom or what he is. Suppose he escapes? You know he can’t escape. We have him contained. And soon we’ll be ready for him. Where is Watch him, he now? Mrs Deverill. Don’t let him out I don’t know. of your sight. Somewhere in the yard. –click- Asmodeus – you heard what he said. The boy – – Find him.

I need to know. What were those noises last night? The light came from about there, I reckon. And if I follow a straight line, I can’t get lost. Of course that didn’t stop me last night. But if I don’t turn left or right – I can just turn back the way I came. these woods are extraordinary!

I should hold on a minute! have brought I only walked about a marker, or a ball of twine. a dozen steps! I’ll go I should still back and… see the road from here! Great. Some kind of building? I knew I should have brought a compass… Wait – what’s that?