The Curse of 1977 (Book 2)

"And now, a statement from Channel Seven Station Manager, Rudy Ward."
"Here we are, Cypress Citizens, on the edge. That is exactly how it feels at this very moment in our fair city. Cypress has faced
numerous challenges and obstacles before. From the collapse of the National Building back in '42, to the assassination of
Governor Billups in '67; Cypress, Ohio has managed to rise up above the chaos and tumult of the times.
But now, something else has emerged, and that something is possibly even more primeval than anything we have faced before.
Instead of gun wielding murderers, I believe we are dealing with a force not even our sophisticated society can handle. Are we
headed down the same path as New York City? Is our descent into madness a one way journey?
Now, most people, including yours truly, will agree that the decision to demolish the Hollis towers is long overdue. They were a
blight to the city and a magnet for debauchery. But knowing what we now know about what was going on inside one of the
buildings, it is safe to assume that we are not dealing with a common threat.
These recent animal attacks have people not only staying inside their own homes as though this was the Old West, but most
Cypress citizens are actually fleeing the city for safer pastures. And who can blame them? The police are dumbfounded, citizens
are terrified, and on top of all that, no one alive has ever seen these beasts. Perhaps destroying their lair is the start we need to
flush out these animals. But the fact remains, what other sort of terror have they wrought?
Are we safe, or are we in the calm of a very bitter and violent storm? No one can seem to answer such questions. All we as
citizens of this great city can do is batten down our defenses and hope for the best. I am an optimistic man. I do believe that
Cypress will prevail in the face of disaster.
This is not New York City where a person walks out of their home only to get mugged within five seconds. I happen to believe in
our police force, our city council members, and most of all, our citizens. We will stand tall and fight back. We will be more vigilant
and aware, and we will not rest until this blasphemy has at last been extinguished. As the old Negro hymn goes, 'we shall
overcome.' Cypress, Ohio will once more shine like a jewel.
And if leaving this city is your decision, then Godspeed. But I assure you, if you do decide to return, you shall come back to a
different life, a brand new perspective. Our story is far from over. When you return, life as you once knew it, shall be no more.
All we have to do...is keep fighting. For Channel Seven, I'm Rudy Ward."