The Fall of House Pancrazio Chapter 5

[JMaytr]

IN THE TUNNELS-

Tristan checks out the sulfur on the floor. There is only a small amount. It is piled in a way that suggests it was poured out purposely.

Ahead the tunnel breaks off into three passageways.

[Varrus the Ethical]

"What is it Tristian, what have you found?" says Sebastian, curious as to what the houndsman is investigating.

[ewancummins]

"Sulfur. It looks almost as if someone measured it out. I'm going to collect it. I'll use one of the empty jars we left on those shelves, down the hall."

The houndsman lifts his magic torch and turns to look down the central hallway.

''Let's move as a group. "

[Varrus the Ethical]

"I agree, seems the prudent thing to do given what is likely down here." says Sebastian, ready to follow Tristan.

[ewancummins]

''If you see any more of the stuff, let me know. I can use it to make smokepowder."

[JMaytr]

IN THE TUNNELS-

Tristan and Sebastian make their way down the central tunnel and arrive at the shelves with the jars and the ladder that leads to the larder. When the party previously searched the area they found several empty jars so it is easy for Tristan to locate one. The pair did not notice any additional sulfur in the central tunnel.

[ewancummins]

Tristan picks an appropriately sized jar, makes sure it has a good lid, and moves back towards the sulfur.

[JMaytr]

Upstairs-

As Harold watches in horror the boy grabs hold of his legs. The boy slowly becomes naked, his clothes disappearing before the scholars eyes. He looks up at Harold and begins to cry. Tears run down the boys pathetic face, his chin quivering. Slowly blood begins to pour from the boys nude rear, turning into a torrent of crimson. As Harold watched the bruises around the child's neck begin to swell and darken. Blood forms in the boys mouth and Harold can see the the throat twist and break.

The flute music is overpowering now and Harold can feel a fluid in his ears.

The child's skin begins to tear and rip as if it were being flayed from his body. As the skin is torn away it engulfs in flame and vanishes like a magicians flash paper.

"Such a sweet, sweet boy." A masculine voice purrs from behind in Harold's bleeding ear.

Two powerful hands grip his shoulders. Harold is unable to hold Miss Pheobe any longer and she falls from his arms, landing with a soft thud on the floor near her discarded stuffed toy. A heat unlike anything Harold has ever felt begins in his shoulders and spreads toward his chest. The old man feels his heart pound with dangerous speed.

The child's skin continues to flay off and burn. The blood and dirt falls from the ghosts mouth with such speed it creates a mound of earth at the scholars feet. The boy begins to descend into the mound of dirt, pulling Harold's pants down.

"Mommy!" The boy screams. Miss Pheobe moans, still unconscious, while a pool of blood forms on the crotch of her gown.

Just as the elder mans pants reach his ankles, the mound of dirt forms a horrific bear head and swallows the flayed bloody skull of the boy.

Harold's heart beats uncontrollably fast now-too fast. His legs no longer are able to hold him and they go limp. The strong hands that grip Harold's shoulders do not let go and hold the scholar in place.

"So Sweet..." The voice says. The ghostly hands release Harold and the old man crumbles to the floor.

Dead.

[Lord Skybolt]

While Tristan gathers the sulfur Tahl stays out of his way, but does cover his back .

[ewancummins]

After packing up and sealing the sulfur, Tristan stows the jar in his satchel.

''Lets do a quick sweep of the halls and rooms that we've seen thus far. We should make sure that gate is still locked. After that, we should check out the unexplored passage that runs near the cell-bedroom. That's what I think. What do you think, Tahl? You, Sebastian? ''

[Lord Skybolt]

"Yes, that sounds good to me ." Tahl answering Tristan's question . "After that the southeast corridor is the only place we have not explored fully besides beyond the gate ."

[ewancummins]

Tristan looks about the area while he waits for a reply from the Pancrazios in the party.

[Varrus the Ethical]

"I also agree, but let's be careful, as what I sensed down could very well be waiting for us." says Sebastien.

[ewancummins]

''Right, careful is the watchword."

[RocEter]

"Wait." Julian says to the group. "Before we go deeper into the tunnels we should retrieve the ring from Great Aunt Luisa's hand so we can see what is inside that black box."