Two of the Candlestick Quartet are heavily injured. Billy and Johnny take them to the hospital where a strange relic of Thornrose's curse comes into play. As police get involved, Johnny has to struggle to regain some sense of control.
Tag: Arbuck
Johnny and Lanette try to reach Billy but Billy is at Thornrose, a child care facility where every caretaker and child disappeared decades ago. And the swamp does not want Johnny to approach. At Thornrose, Billy cares for an injured Jayson while meeting his new allies. He also cannot shake the sense that something is using them all as playthings.
Johnny and Lanette regroup and meet Upton's family. Then, as they prepare to dive back into the mystery and start getting things accomplished, they meet a surprise person. A surprise person with a surprise gift.
Upton is about to call his family when his family shows up to find him. Elsewhere, Billy and Jayson quickly realize just how dangerous the game is and how evil some players are going to be. And still elsewhere, Johnny and Lanette are in over their heads. Like always, only much worse.
Berg and Erzse are part of the Ancient Terranauts. A week before the events of Johnny Blue vs the Kid, they are tasked to carry out an interruption on the firework show at Gaston. Only there are wheels within wheels. Maria Salas, aka "Madame Sinister," has a mission for them. All three are moving to what feels like certain doom.