Are they some sort of new art installation?  A naturally occurring phenomenon? Or is it something more interesting?

The last few nights have shown a new light show appearing over parts of London.  Mysterious, glowing orbs have been spotted, and in some cases photographed zipping, dodging and otherwise moving playfully among the city’s buildings.

Most often spotted late, these lights have appeared each night for the past two weeks, no more than five in a single area.  Some have reported the sounds of flutes or pipes during the disturbances.

“It was really quite pretty, you know?  We were sitting out in the garden when we heard this soft music.  But it really wasn’t music, ya know?  More like someone was just playing around with a flute.  Anyway, my Roger points up, and there’s four or five little lights, just bobbing around above our neighbor’s garden. They were up there for five or six minutes before they just swooped away, taking the music with them.” – Chelsea Bettenridge (43), London

But not everyone is delighted with this new phenomena, as several traffic accidents have been reported, citing the cause as either trying to avoid a “glowing orb” or due to the distraction the lights have been causing at night.

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Part two of this ongoing series, we are publishing an exclusive interview with Miss V, a professional Succubus.

Compass: Fairly ordinary.  There is something special tho?

Miss V: Well, yes.  The myths didn’t start on their own.  Succubi like myself can touch people’s dreams, and we can take power from other people’s emotions.

Compass: But a Professional?

Miss V: I hire myself out to others who are having trouble at night.  We can help people sleep if we try, or keep nightmares at bay.  You’d be surprised how many people bring me in to soothe the night terrors of children.

Compass: I’m surprised, given the horrible reputation that Succubi must have.  How do you overcome those stereotypes?

Miss V: Honestly?  I don’t mention them.  I’m an actual therapist, having finished my degree before my powers surfaced, and I only use my abilities when I’m out of other options.  Despite the undeserved reputation, people do have a right to feel cautious.  There are several well documented cases of a Succubus turning against the population.  I personally like to think they were driven to it, but  there’s no way of telling now.

Interview with a Vamp is a new weekly column featured in the London Compass.

Interview with the Vamp, Stories

Sci-Fi enthusiasts meet at Dr. Who convention.

Manchester – The Doctor has a new problem.  Convention goers and Doctor Fans from around the globe are swarming on Manchester to attend the first annual DaleKon.

This strange conglomeration of science fiction fans, authors, and BBC employees have come together for one weekend to pay tribute to what they call the greatest Science Fiction show of all time.

Home made aliens, remote control Daleks, and a wide array of merchandise surround the true draw of the convention.  The airing of almost a dozen recovered Doctor Who episodes from 1973.

Additionally, the convention is a way for the fans to put pressure on the BBC to bring back the Doctor for another incarnation.  The last time the Doctor appeared on television (The 8th Doctor, played by McGann) was nearly five years ago, and was considered by many fans to be an absolute cockup of the franchise.  (Some even go as far to compare the 1996 Television-movie to the ill fated American movie Highlander II, which many people deny the actual existence of.)

“We’d like the BBC to take a serious look at bringing back the Doctor for another set of adventures.  It’s been part of our culture for nearly forty years, and as fans of the series, we’d like to have it back in our lives.”

Fans have been passing a petition around the convention, encouraging the BBC to dust off the old Tardis and give the show some more Time.

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Long known for its Gothic atmosphere and its gothier clientèle, the Devonshire Arms Public House is finding itself in the midst of a supernatural sighting that puzzles even its owners, people accustomed to the strangeness of its patrons.

Police Sketch of the Suspect

Last night, just prior to the pub closing, the Arms called the local constabulary, reporting a brawl breaking out between most of its clientèle and a single patron.  When they arrived, the police were tasked with sorting out the survivors from the wreckage of the bar.  Some thirty patrons had been severely beaten and thrown about the Arm’s taproom along with most of the furniture.

One of the survivors, who refused to be identified, claimed that the bar had been destroyed by some sort of patchwork Frankenstein monster.  The monster, who had been quietly drinking in the bar, had apparently gone berserk and began attacking another patron after last call.  A number of bar patrons, their courage sufficiently bolstered by drink, ran to the rescue of their compatriot, prompting the creature to pick up the large pieces of furniture.  Soon, a bar wide brawl broke out.

Another witness, who also refuses to be named, said that the creature was provoked, when a drunken lout began pawing at the monster’s companion.  When warned away, the patron redoubled his efforts, prompting a response from the patchwork monster.

Neither the creature, nor its companion has been seen since the event at the public house, and management has promised to open the Devonshire Arms tonight, as usual.

Police have released a sketch of the creature, and are asking the public for any information on its whereabouts.

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Witchcraft in Secondary Schools?

Camden, London. Strange occurrences at the St Margaret’s School have teachers and administrators jumping at shadows.  A number of odd happenstances have arisen since the beginning of the form, ranging from poltergeist activity to odd lights and sounds.  The oddities have been pushed aside by the LEA as overworked teachers, overcrowded conditions, and an economic crunch.

However, the Compass staff have spoken to several staff and students of the school, all of whom have experienced or witnessed several supernatural events.

“I was walking to the library when the lockers began rattling in the hall.  Several of them opened and all the books and papers were scattered all over the corridor.” – 6th Form Student

“Two weeks ago, all the water coolers were shooting green water out.  Still tasted the same tho.” – 5th Form Student

One teacher, who has asked not to be named, has reported strange lights floating about the school after classes are over.

“Usually, nothing happens, but on some nights you’ll see these lights.  Almost like those Will-o’-wisp tales you hear about.  One night, there were five or six flitting about just outside my office.”

As such, the only reports of these events are from the students and teachers, when contacted, the LEA said it had no plans to investigate any of these “fictitious occurrences”.  Many parents remain skeptical, but a small but growing number have voiced their belief in the phenomenon.

Stories