November 30, 2013 – 5:15 PM EST – The Compount - Old Saybrook, Connecticut


Sebastian estimated that the drive would take 45 minutes from the hotel to his “compound, it took 60. Traffic was a bit heavier than expected. Par for the course as today has been anything but, as expected. We continued to dance around details, Sebastian giving me bits and pieces but refusing to explain to me the bigger picture. What I do know is that at some point in the last month or so Sebastian became aware of my existence, how and why are still a mystery to me. I just know that he did and since that time he has had someone monitoring me. Monitoring me while I am monitoring someone else. Irony of ironies.

Sebastian said his name was Matthew that he was some sort of tech wizard and that he lived in the compound along with Jacob, The Messenger and Asmodeus, the last of which is Sebastian’s father as well as mentor. From what Sebastian told me, Matthew used to be on the receiving end of some of Sebastian’s rampage filled moments but recently Matthew has been able to earn Sebastian’s respect and thus the beatings, for the moment have stopped. Sebastian also mentioned that if it seems like Matthew is high on speed to pay no mind, as there is a better than 100% chance that Matthew has been awake for days on end with nothing but caffeine to keep him upright.

Next there is Jacob, The Messenger. He and Sebastian are extremely close. You might say that Sebastian treats Jacob as the brother he never had. From what Sebastian tells me, Jacob is one of the few people on this Earth with the privilege of being able to speak his mind without repercussion. Jacob and Sebastian have been friends for many years, though not without some troubles along the way. There seems to be no end to the types of things Jacob can do for Sebastian, it explains, at least partially, why Sebastian holds him in such high esteem.

Lastly we have Asmodeus, Sebastian’s father. From what Sebastian explained, Asmodeus is your typical father figure, at least when viewed by outsiders. Those in Sebastian’s inner circle know Asmodeus to be a one of a kind tactician. Asmodeus is a bit soft spoken but extremely articulate. As I understand it, Asmodeus is also the leader of the Illuminati. A group that I am not terribly familiar with outside of knowing that they exist. In fact I am ashamed to say that I only know of that thanks to Dan Brown novel “Angels and Demons”.


To say that I may be a bit out of my element here is the understatement of the decade.



SEBASTIAN DUKE: “Are you alright Eric?”

“You’ve been rather quiet for the last 20 minutes of our trip.”


ERIC NIGEL MARTIN: “Yes I’m fine thank you. Just taking it all in.”

SEBASTIAN DUKE:: “The scenary or what we have discussed?”

ERIC NIGEL MARTIN: “A bit of both actually.”

SEBASTIAN DUKE: “It was a lot, I understand. I thought it would be good if I gave you some background information on the people you will come in contact with. Specifically Matthew and Jacob. I do not anticipate, in fact, I prefer that you and my father did not speak right away.”

ERIC NIGEL MARTIN: “Why is that?”

SEBASTIAN DUKE: “I will explain that as soon as we get inside. I have a room set aside for you, should you wish to stay here.”

ERIC NIGEL MARTIN: “Stay? Why would I want to stay here?”

SEBASTIAN DUKE: “For a few reasons actually.”

“First and foremost, with what just happened at the hotel it would be a prudent decision for you to lay low. My compound is completely off the grid.”

“And if by chance the local authorities or the FBI or anyone for that matter thinks of showing up at my door step, Matthew will inform me of it long before they get within 20 miles of this place. You are completely safe here, I assure you.”

ERIC NIGEL MARTIN: “And I am free to come and go as I please? I don’t have to stay here if I don’t want to?”

SEBASTIAN DUKE: “That is correct. If you wish to leave after hearing everything I have to say then I will gladly drive you to the nearest train station or airport and we will never see each other again. You have my word on that.”

ERIC NIGEL MARTIN: “You seem very confident that I will stay.”

SEBASTIAN DUKE: “I believe that after you have heard everything and had some time to digest it that yes, you will want to stay. But you are under no obligation to do.”

“Consider yourself fortunate in that regard as the location of this place is not something that I share with just anyone.”

ERIC NIGEL MARTIN: “What makes me so special?”

SEBASTIAN DUKE: “Your past.”

ERIC NIGEL MARTIN: “What about it?”

SEBASTIAN DUKE: “We are here, can this not wait a few more moments?”

ERIC NIGEL MARTIN: “Yes it can. But I’m growing impatient with waiting.”

SEBASTIAN DUKE: “I understand that.”

ERIC NIGEL MARTIN: “No, I don’t think you do. You show up at the hotel moments after I murdered my father, you know my name. You were supposedly the man responsible for me even being there in the first place, as well as for the gun that was used.”

“And by the way, I hope for your sake the gun is untraceable as I left it at the scene, and I can assure you, my prints will not be found on it.”

SEBASTIAN DUKE: “I am not concerned with the gun being traced back to me. In fact it was a stolen gun to begin with. Someone may have to answer for it being left at the scene but it will not be you or I.”

“In fact, that was smart thinking on your part to leave the gun there. Most people take it with them, it’s one of the biggest reasons why they are later caught.”

ERIC NIGEL MARTIN: “While this may be the first murder I have ever committed, it has not precluded me from learning the top 10 do’s and don’ts.”

SEBASTIAN DUKE: “Your sarcasm is something we are going to need to work on. You use it as a defense mechanism, for what exactly I am not sure but in time we will break you of that nasty habit.”

ERIC NIGEL MARTIN: “Is that so?”

SEBASTIAN DUKE: “It is.”

ERIC NIGEL MARTIN: “And how do you plan on doing that exactly?”

SEBASTIAN DUKE: “Patience and persistence.”

ERIC NIGEL MARTIN: “That seems to be your thing isn’t it? Otherwise, why else would you make me hang waiting for answers to the questions I’ve asked?”

“And don’t give me some nonsense about waiting until we get to the Compound. We are here, we have been for a few minutes now and yet I still have no idea exactly why I am here or who you are or what any of it has to do with me and why you have felt the need to insert yourself into my life.”

SEBASTIAN DUKE: “I did those things because you needed me to. You don’t realize that but you will.”

“As for who I am. Well, that’s a bit trickier.”

ERIC NIGEL MARTIN: “Enough, I will turn around and walk right back out the front door if you don’t give me something. At the very least, who are you?

SEBASTIAN DUKE: “I told you that already, my name is Sebastian Duke, what I didn’t tell you was that you and I share a common lineage. The man you just killed, he wasn’t your father. I know you were raised to believe that he was, but he wasn’t. The man I spoke to you about earlier, Asmodeus, he is your real father. And if you come right this way I will show you how that can be possible."



What have gotten myself into?



Fade to Darkness.