"Return to Innsmouth"

by Guy N. Smith
originally published Reminsicon 40 Souvenir Programme, 1992

The nameless narrator has for years resisted going to Innsmouth, after receiving via his aunt a copy of Williamson's reports of the events there in 1927-1928.  But he gives and goes there.  He notices that his shadow on the ground does not look human.

He checks into a run-down hotel and bolts and blocks the door.  Someone tries to get in.  Even though someone's trying to batter down the door, the narrator falls asleep anyway.

In the morning, he's still there and no trace of damage to the door.  It doesn't seem to occur to him that the whole thing was a dream - he's just happy no one broke in on him(!!!!!).  Deciding his business is done, he heads out, determining to walk all day until the bus back to Arkham catches up with him.  As the sun rises, he discovers he has no shadow.

This is as pointless, and frankly silly, a Lovecraftian tale as I have ever read.  A pity, coming from the literary genius responsible for The Sucking Pit!