It started as a whisper, almost hidden behind a cold wind. Oliver pulled his jacket tighter trying to keep the chill out, but despite his best efforts the chill penetrated deep into his bones. Lighting a cigarette he pushed further down the path, hearing the voice softly calling to him. Cursing he spit on the ground, casting a glance behind him only to see he was still alone. Shadows in the moonlight seemed to dance in the corner of his eye, the wind in the trees hiding any real movement. Seeing the gate up ahead, Oliver began his work. There was always so much to do at these types of places, nasty things took up residence in abandoned cemeteries. Skirting the perimeter he left a circular border of rock salt around the burial grounds. Then checking his weapons one last time, he crossed over. Immediately the wind stopped and the darkness pressed in around him, sending shivers down his spine. It never got any easier. A sinister laugh drifted through the air, and he heard the voice again. A low rumbling resonated through the burial grounds as it inquired “what ever could have brought the little straw hat here?” Carefully Oliver looked, peering over grave markers, trying to see the source but all he found was darkness. Cursing once more he drew his revolver only to illicit more of that damned laughter. Antagonizing him further the voice inquired once more “have you come to play little one? It’s been ever so long since we’ve seen each other.” With a grunt Oliver flicked his cigarette onto the ground, and he smiled. “I should have known that was you Cernunnos, it was too optimistic of me to think you’d been put down for good.” Walking slowly forward he saw in the distance what he was looking for, a statue of a great stag with a hundred feet of space all around it. It had to be where that flea ridden horned prick was waiting for him. Upon nearing it the horned god practically skipped from behind the monument in gross contrast to his ragged appearance. It had the torso of a man with the legs and head of a deer, and looked like two week old road kill. Flesh hung off the bones in strange places, blood dripping like tears from glassy eyes, and the twisted thing was laughing. “Oh come now my pet, surely you’re here to entertain me. It’s been ages since I received a proper sacrifice.” Cernunnos licked his lips, continuing “and I do enjoy playing with my food.” The dark god leapt but Oliver was ready, firing as soon as the monster’s hooves left the ground. At such a distance the force of the blast stunned the god, taking much of the power from his attack. Rolling to the side Oliver said “play time’s over chuckle head,” firing twice more into Cernunnos’s head. Still the creature laughed, turning to face him with a gross facsimile of a smile.