In the Mansion of Madness by Mark Teppo

Author:Mark Teppo [Teppo, Mark]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-1-63023-144-6
Publisher: 51325 Books
Published: 2021-04-10T22:00:00+00:00

95

You know better than to turn your back on what is obviously a trap. You Close the cedar chest so nothing can jump out at you while you're investigating the tub in the other room. The chest quivers slightly as your magic takes hold.

You go to the bathroom door and shine your flashlight over the large tub. It's deep, and yes, those feet are as taloned as you first thought.

The noise comes again. It's a squeaking scrape of leather against marble.

"I know you're in there," you say loudly for Pearson's benefit.

The noise don't come again. You notice your breath is misting from the chill in the air.

"Are you still Pearson?" you ask, not expecting an answer.

A throaty giggle rises from whatever is in the tub. The chill moves down your spine.

"I can hear him screaming," it whispers. "So small and tiny. So filled with fear."

"What do you want?" you ask, going against the rules outlined in all the manuals. Never negotiate with horrors from beyond.

"Blood and souls," the creature in the tub hisses.

This is partly why you don't bother negotiating. They're not very imaginative.

"Not today," you say. "In fact, I'd like the one you are wearing back."

"Can't have it," the monster says petulantly. "It is leaking." It giggles again.

You've heard enough. You feel around in your pockets for that jar of naphtha. When you shake it, the colors turn orange and red.

It's convenient that the monster decided to hide in the tub. Keeps things contained, doesn't it? You flick the jar with a fingernail, setting off the timer. You toss the jar into the tub, and then duck out of the doorway. There's a bright flash of light and the wall shakes as the naphtha ignites. The monster makes a drawn-out keening noise. Like a tea kettle or a sack of cats.

The tub took the brunt of the blast, but there are scattered streaks of fire on the walls. You let them burn. The whole house can go up, for all you or anyone else cares.

Your work here is done.

Pity about Pearson, though.

SOMETIMES YOUR PARTNER DOESN'T MAKE IT. THIS IS AN OCCUPATIONAL HAZARD. YOU WILL NOT PENALIZED FOR THEIR ERRORS OF JUDGMENT.

ASSESSMENT SCORE: 82

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