A Twisted Halloween: Terror is Trending

Chapter 8: Get Me Out!

Just then, they hear footsteps walking into the room.

Followed by a familiar voice, "Gentlemen, you should probably be more careful."

"Grk!" The two men reply, startled.

They turn to see Azul, Tanzanite, and two other students walking over.

The first man asks, "Uh, who're you? A Night Raven College student?"

"That's right. I also happen to be the one in charge here. The tank houses a merman who has... a bit of a sordid history, let's say. I suggest you look, and don't touch," Azul says. "And whatever you do, don't agitate him if you don't want to get crushed."

"What do you mean, a 'sordid history'?" The first man asks.

"Well..." Azul says.

Tanzanite walks away and turns off the lights. Then turn on the spotlight to shine on Azul.

With that, Azul explains, "Did you know that once upon a time, mummified merfolk were highly valued? Mending broken bones instantly, erasing scars, breaking fevers, making stomachs go away... Humans believed that they were the perfect source for panaceas to cure anything that ailed them. All absolute poppycock, of course. Understandably, the merfolk that humans mummified held a powerful grudge against them. They turned into dreadful ghosts bent on vengeance. The humans were powerless to stop them. Ultimately, the humans realized the error of their ways. They sealed the mer-ghosts in this magical tank at great personal risk. And the tank has been safeguarded at the school ever since, in order to ensure that it never, ever gets damaged. We have gone to great - one might even say PAINSTAKING - effort to ensure that nobody so much as smudges it with a fingerprint."

Then Tanzanite turns on the lights.

Then gives them a smile, "It's a responsibility we take QUITE seriously."

The second man asks, nervously, "Uh... huh! C-cool story, bro."

"So, uh, just curious..." The first man speaks. up nervously, "What would happen if someone DID damage the tank?"

"Why, it would break the sealing enchantment cast upon the tank," Azul answers.

Then Tanzanite says, "Yes. The spirits may be subdued for now, but ghosts carry powerful grudges. Even now, the mermen wait for their chance at revenge."

Then Azul says, "their aim is to suck the vitality out of humans and use it to revive themselves in our world. In the event that the tank were to get damaged and the seal came undone... Everyone here would have their life force drained away, leaving them an empty, mummified shell."

The first man tries to laugh it off, "Haha! G-good one. You're a real joker, buddy!"

Then softly asks, "You... ARE joking, right?"

Then the second man says, "You know... It is Halloween. Maybe there's a chance this is legit. Plus, don't you see the way he's looking straight at us? That's not something a liar would do, right?"

"I noticed you two are looking rather pale. Are you well?" Azul questions.

Then Tanzanite asks, "Are you okay?"

"Uhhh..." The two men reply, a little nervous.

Azul smiles, "Worry not! As long a the tank remains undamaged the mer-ghost will never come back to -"

Suddenly, looking at the tank, Tanzanite panics, "Uh sir, I think you think you need to see this."

Azul looks at the tank and exclaims in shock, "Wha... What in the world?!"