Creeping Terror by Justin Richards Page A

interesting,’ Rupam said. ‘As you know, the real reason the church tower is separate from the main building is because it’s older. It was probably part of another church, or maybe a fortification of some sort that no longer exists.’
    ‘So why build the new church away from the existing tower?’ Ben asked.
    ‘I don’t know. Maybe there were ruins still in the way. It was originally a pagan site, centuries before. A lot of churches were built on land that was already thought to be sacred from earlier religions. But maybe they didn’t want to associate too closely with that earlier religion here when they rebuilt the church.’
    ‘Growl said much the same.’ Maria sounded impatient. ‘You said there was a story. We know the history, or as much as we want to anyway.’
    ‘OK, OK. The story, or legend, doesn’t care for the real history. In the story the church and tower were built at the same time and the tower joined the church. And the church was built near a site where the Devil was worshipped. He wanted his own church, but the villagers wouldn’t build it for him. So he took the church tower and moved it to where he wanted it.’
    ‘So is that why it’s separate?’ Ben asked.
    ‘Just about. In the story, the villagers dismantled the tower and moved it back, rebuilding it attached to the church. But the next day the Devil had moved it again. So again the villagers pulled it down and rebuilt it with the church, and this time they carved statues of saints all round the tower to protect it.’
    ‘I’ve seen the alcoves where the statues used to be,’ Maria said.
    ‘And the Devil still moved the tower?’ Ben said.
    ‘I guess so,’ Rupam agreed. ‘It’s not attached to the church, so I suppose the villagers gave up. It’s just a story,’ he added.
    But Ben hardly heard him. He was drifting into a dreamless sleep. The last things he was aware of were Maria saying something, Rupam laughing, the sound of Gemma’s regular breathing from somewhere nearby … And his sister Sam’s gentle kiss on his forehead as she said goodnight.
    *
    ‘Beware the green.’ Reverend Growl stood by the blackboard, looking down at everyone else like the class teacher.
    Ben sat with Rupam and Maria at the desks arranged into a long table. Gemma was perched on the other side, sitting on the desk, her feet onthe bench seat and her chin resting on her knees. She looked bored. Knight stood leaning against the wall, arms folded.
    ‘After the experiences of young Ben and Rupam yesterday, and our own observations of the approaching vegetation and plants, I think we now know what that warning means,’ Growl said.
    ‘Is that why the villagers are appearing?’ Knight asked. ‘Are they manifesting as some sort of warning?’
    ‘Quite possibly,’ Growl agreed. ‘Let me tell you what my nocturnal studies have unearthed, then I think things will become a little clearer.’
    ‘About time,’ Maria muttered.
    The early morning sunlight was angling in through the dusty windows of the schoolroom. A shadow fell across the table in front of Ben and he turned to see Sam standing behind him. She smiled, putting her finger to her lips.
    ‘From the way the plants are growing and advancing, and from the satellite printouts that Webby provided showing a ring of vegetation round the village, it’s very clear that the church is right in the middle. Here in the school we are close to the edge of the village, but the church is the epicentre if you like.’
    ‘Does that mean the church itself is the key tothe problem?’ Knight asked.
    ‘Possibly. Or it may just be coincidence. The church is in the middle of the village after all. And even if this was entirely random, something would have to be in the middle of it.’
    Growl picked up the printout of the pamphlet about the history of the church that Rupam had brought. ‘This is the best source of information we’ve got. It was written in 1937, so it’s as up to date as we’re likely to