The Secret of Commander's Mansion by J. R. Andrews

The Secret of Commander's Mansion by J. R. Andrews

Author:J. R. Andrews
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: J. R. Andrews
Published: 2023-10-11T19:28:58+00:00


Chapter Fourteen

Ellie

Ellie fought back against the tears threatening to gush from her eyes in the face of the flame-enveloped monster, this fiery ghost that reminded her of an evil version of the Human Torch. But she didn’t cry. She’d never been the kid who became a blubbering mess around others, and she wasn’t about to become one now. If nothing else, she’d do her father proud in that sense.

“We have to get out of here,” she whispered to the Lady. “Show me a way out.” In the din caused by the Torch Ghost’s roaring blaze, surely no one but the Lady could have heard her. If she was still listening at all.

She held tight to someone, clutching a ball of T-shirt material in front of her. Marti, maybe? Yes, Marti. That was some small measure of comfort. The young woman with the shock of blueberry hair was the most sensible of the three Trackers. Probably best to be holding onto her at a time like this.

As if aware Ellie was thinking of her, Marti turned her head toward the girl, her eyes and mouth set in a mask of determination peppered with concern. Ellie wished she felt the calm Marti projected. “What did you say?”

“Nothing. We need another way out of here!”

The trapdoor. Quickly, find the trapdoor!

At the same time, Marti’s eyes lit up. “Of course! Why didn’t I think of it before?”

The burning man started in their direction, leaving smoking footprints with every step.

Marti smacked Blake in the back of the head. “Remember the blueprints? There’s a trapdoor in the floor over there, under that rug.” She pointed to the back of the room on their left. A portable light and the generator were placed over one end of a huge rug that ran the entire width of the room.

Without waiting for a reply, Marti took off for that corner. Ellie, still clinging to her shirt, trailed behind. Shane came along with them, gripping Ellie’s hand as if his life depended on staying in contact with her. Even in all the noise and with her own heart racing, she could feel the violent tremors shaking him.

As soon as they reached the generator, Marti crouched beside it, giving it a massive shove. It slid forward only a few inches, not even a fraction of the distance needed to get it off the rug. She swore under her breath and leaned down to try again.

As she did, Dom knelt beside her, adding his own mass and strength to the effort. The piece of equipment shot forward two feet, clearing the floor covering.

The roar of fire and the growing heat on the back of Ellie’s neck signaled that the thing was closing fast behind them.

Blake grabbed the bright stand-up light and, without pausing for a second thought, jabbed it at the advancing figure, like an old-time knight with a lance. It smashed the burning man in the chest, driving it back half a foot and earning them a few precious seconds. The stand erupted in flames, though, searing a white flash into their vision.



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