| Adam Henderson storms from his house. At thirty, he realizes his life is not unfolding the way he'd hoped it would. But what is that shadow? At the carnival, Johnny performs for the entertainment of the crowd, who eat it up! Then he and Red head out for drinks, snubbing Cynthia Randolph. Adam Henderon returns to his neighborhood, but something is different. With a gesture he extinguishes light and merriment from a house. With a bark, he slaughters a dog. Drawn somehow to the carnival, Adam brushes past Johnny and Red on his way to Olga's tent. There he reveals that Null, the Living Darkness, last remnant of the S'Raphh, has found in Adam Henderson the bitter heart it sought. Wearing Adam, it will destroy all life on Earth! Johnny realizes the Rider will need to handle this. Adam, meanwhile, has returned home, and offers his wife a toy-sized living person, casting it aside when she reacts with horror! Ghost Rider arrives and they battle! Adam can hurt Ghost Rider, and even shrink him down to the size of a mouse! What can Ghost Rider do? The battle moves to a nearby park, and a falling statue nearly crushes Maureen. His concern for his wife leaves Adam/Null momentarily vulnerable, which the enraged Ghost Rider exploits with glee, terribly burning Adam's soul. But enough of Adam survives, shielded by his love for Maureen - and Null has no such protection. It is forced to flee! |
