The Curse of Taloncrest Manor

Chapter 5: The Groundskeeper

"....So they have escaped. A pity...." Melody lamented after she had returned from her errand. "I was only a few souls away from...." She paused and sighed. Dischord materialized next to her. "My apologies, Grand Magistrix. I can send a party out to capture them, if it is Your wish," he suggested. "No, I don't think that will be necessary. But your assistance is appreciated." she responded. Dischord was a little confused. "What....?" Melody turned to him. "This could be very good, actually....Dischord! Gather the congregation—all of them. Tell them that we are going to hold another service soon. Those fools will regret ever running away in the first place...." "Yes. It is as You say. Your followers will meet in this Conservatory very soon." Dischord promised as he dissipated once more.

Preparing to take her leave as well, Melody saw something in the backstage area—a small, gold button. "Hmmm? What's this....? I don't remember any of those four ruffians having these on them....no matter. I'll swipe it just for kicks." She picked up the button and dissipated as well.

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The four boys were led to a small living area inside the bunker, where they settled in. The old man who had saved them was the first to speak. "So, what's a ragtag group of whippersnappers such as yourselves doing in that mansion? That place is mighty dangerous, I'll tell you that!" he remarked. "We were trying to rescue a friend of ours, but it seems as though we were unfortunately led into a trap," Ricardo said. "We're lucky to have had you nearby. But....who are you?" he asked.

The old man laughed. "In my prime, I used to be the humble groundskeeper of this here estate. I began my tenure around....oh, say, 2000 or so. However, as more and more suspicious activity began to be reported by the mansion's many residents, I came to believe that there was only one explanation, and thus, I quickly switched priorities. Groundskeeping is fun and all, but ghost-hunting....now that's five times as much fun!" he explained. Right afterward, James sat up. "What?! You're trying to....capture those ghosts?" "So they do exist.....I'm not crazy after all! I guess now I know my guess was correct. Anyway, I'm planning to. You see, I've spent a long time collecting and fine-tuning several pieces of ghost-hunting equipment, from special thermometers to digital cameras. It was I who set off the explosion in the box seat of the Conservatory, using a custom-made bomb. The device that I used to free you from the chains was also of my own making," the old man revealed, pulling out several of his tools and passing them around for the boys to examine.

"However, as much data as I have gathered on them, I regretfully admit that I could never hope to stand toe-to-toe with them. But I'm hoping that with your help, that might change. I have been working on a special weapon; it has been my personal project for the past year. When I realized the mansion was haunted, I quickly took most of my belongings, fled the immediate area, and moved my base of operations into this bunker. Unfortunately, in my hurry to leave, I left behind the final part I needed to complete the weapon; the energy core. That's where you four come in. I'll make you a deal; I'll stay here and construct four more weapons for you boys to use, in addition to my own. The outer workings and external design don't take that long to make; it's locating the energy supply that's the difficult part." he proposed. "With these gadgets on you, you can overcome the ghosts and have a much easier time finding your friend. What do you say?"

"I don't know about this, Ricardo....what if it's all a ruse?" Cooper cautioned suspiciously. "Well....even if it is, I don't see any other choice we could take." Ricardo replied. James turned to the old man. "So where's the energy core we need to retrieve?" he asked. "It's in the mansion's basement. Lucky for you, I've noticed that the specters seem to avoid that area at all costs, so you shouldn't run into any ghosts on your mission. Whoever put those chains on you...." the old man shook his head. "Terrible spirits, that lot....but hey, if all goes well, we'll be able to take our revenge on them....personally," he finished. "So, do we have a deal?" After a few minutes of deliberation between the four boys, Ricardo agreed and shook the old man's hand. "Deal. But those weapons had better be good," Ricardo said. "And....I'm afraid Elijah might be a little too injured to join us....do you think you could keep an eye on him while we're away? Maybe help him recover?" "Sure," the groundskeeper responded politely. "Did something happen to him?"

Ricardo sighed. "We had a run-in with a ghost in the Conservatory.....she said her name was Melody. She attempted to kill him by hanging him with a rope backstage. He's still recovering." "What?! Like I said earlier, that mansion's a dangerous place. Thankfully, I'd imagine that the basement is the only place that the ghosts don't frequent, so you should be okay. Get me that energy core, and I'll use it to power up these five machines. Those ghosts won't stand a chance, believe you me!" the old man said as he beamed with pride. "But wait...." Ricardo protested as he came to a realization. "My friends and I checked the basement shortly after we arrived. The entrance to the cellar is sealed tight. Is there another entrance somewhere, or....?" The man lit up. "Need to deal with a sealed door, huh? I've got just the thing." He opened a cabinet and pulled out a circular device with a green light, a base that was laced with a sticky material, and a ring that was loosely attached to it. "Go to the kitchen, look for the sealed cellar door, and use this mine to breach the basement. Pull out the ring, and you'll see the light at the top turn red and start blinking. Take cover as soon as you pull the ring." the groundskeeper instructed.

Ricardo stood up from the couch. "You got it!" He looked over at the other boys. "Cooper! James! Let's go!" He turned to the old man once again. "Love the getup, by the way. Those gold buttons still looking shiny after all those years, eh?"

"Thanks! I seem to have lost one during the escape, though. Oh well, no matter. And don't worry!" the groundskeeper called to the three boys as they left the bunker. "Your friend Elijah is in good hands!"

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Meanwhile, in the basement, the conniving Dr. Octavio was hard at work. "Hehe.....m-m-m-my projects are nearly complete....." He had finished the other three abominations, and had them each placed in individual stasis containers that he designed. "Patches.....Gorelump......Stitchfang.....Silkwidow.....do not worry, my children.....the time will come soon.....I need only finish.....one more thing...." He walked over to the last operating table, with a giant electric node placed above it, ready at a moment's notice to surge forth and deliver a burst of energy to bring the aberration to life. On it was a body, yet it was shrouded in just enough darkness to make it unrecognizable.

"Yes, yes.....long have I waited for this day! You will be the instrument of my revenge," the mad scientist proclaimed with glee as he pulled out some tools. "And then, all will see....this.....is the hour.....of the Experiments."