Gerry Fenn’s Changing Witness

This flow follows Fenn from opportunistic reporter to frightened investigator who accepts that evidence may exceed his explanations.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

A Reporter’s Night

The Accidental Witness A chase into the graveyard Tired and mildly drunk, Gerry Fenn nearly hits a small figure on a dark road. Curiosity overcomes fear and leads him through the churchyard to the field. A story takes shape He finds Alice kneeling before the oak and hears her speak. The strange encounter excites his journalistic instincts before he has understood its personal or spiritual implications.

A Rejected Scoop

The Story Editor Refuses Doubt at work Fenn presents his account to Frank Aitken, who rejects it as unverifiable and reminds him of earlier journalistic pranks. His eyewitness testimony carries little weight because of his reputation. Ambition persists The dismissal leaves Fenn angry but more determined to investigate. The episode establishes a recurring conflict between what he experiences and what his professional world will believe.

The Second Gathering

A Witness at the Oak From reporter to observer Fenn returns with a camera and watches children gather around Alice. He tries to test their attention, photograph the scene, and explain their behavior as collective hysteria. An explanation fails Alice speaks publicly of the lady’s message, and the crowd sees or feels something he cannot verify. His reporting earns attention, but his certainty remains incomplete.

The Crypt Encounter

Fear in the Church The broken image In the church crypt, Fenn becomes fixated on a statue of Mary that seems to move toward him. He falls among damaged statues and escapes in panic. The skeptic is shaken Monsignor Delgard disputes the reporter’s account of what was physically present, but Fenn cannot dismiss his terror. His skepticism survives as a habit, not an adequate explanation.

A Changed Belief

Evidence Beyond Denial Warning the crowd Fenn arrives at the final service convinced that Alice and the shrine are dangerous. He urges Sue to leave and enters the crisis despite his own weakening body. A qualified faith Ben’s touch restores Fenn’s strength, and a radiant figure at the oak gives him a reason to pray. He ends the story not with certainty, but with a willingness to enter church beside Sue and Ben.

The night Fenn first encounters Alice

The next morning at the newspaper office

The following Sunday, during the Mass

Several weeks later, during Fenn’s archival investigation

During and after the final night at the shrine