The Magician's Assistant

13

Rachael carefully tied several small, metal syringes to the end of the wooden pole. Each one was filled with Euniasium. In total, there was nearly double what Gramps thought was necessary to kill the monster in the basement.

"Are you really sure this isn't... for lack of a better term, overkill?" Gramps asked.

"Better safe than sorry," Rachael replied.

"Do remember I've given you my entire supply. You won't be getting any reloads,"

"If I mess up, then you can kill it with your magic, can't you?"

"As long as nothing goes exceptionally wrong, then yes. I do worry though,"

"Worry? About what?"

"If the creature down there is so resistant to bullets, it might be able to survive the spell I used on the bushranger,"

"That can't be the only trick you've got up your sleeve,"

"Of course not, but using them in a confined space like this might be more dangerous than any monster,"

"We could always just set the cabin on fire and leave. That might do it,"

Erika shot Rachael a concerned look.

"Some restraint, please," Gramps said.

"Don't worry. I was just throwing out ideas,"

Rachael put the finishing touches on her makeshift spear.

"Now, who wants to hold the door for me?"

"We'll both have to do it. None of us have the strength to hold the beast back alone," Gramps said.

Erika gave a half-hearted nod.

"Shouldn't you untie my hands for this?"

"Just put your back against the door. Gramps can handle everything that requires hands," Rachael said.

"Fine, but don't complain to me if this all goes downhill,"

Gramps and Erika moved to the door, while Rachael held up her spear. Gramps grabbed the handle and pulled the door halfway open. Rachael peered into the cellar.

The shadowy form of the monster was nowhere to be seen. There were plenty of places for it to hide. Rachael assumed it went under the stairs or back into it's original room.

"I don't see it anywhere. I'm sure it'll pop up once it notices the light," Rachael said.

"You don't think it could've escaped, do you?" Gramps asked.

Erika shuddered.

"It was too big. It would have to use one of the doors," Rachael said.

Several minutes passed. Everyone waited for the monster to come to them. It never did.

"Lazy, ain't he?" Rachael said.

She took a step forward.

"Don't go in there," Gramps said.

"I'm just trying to get a better look. Could we starve it out?"

"It would take months," Gramps and Erika said, nearly in unison.

"We could seal it up for a day or two and come back with help," Gramps suggested.

"Maybe we really should try to burn the place down on top of it," Rachael said. Erika sighed.

"I think I need to go down there. Just to confirm it's actually still inside," Rachael said.

"If you absolutely must go in there, stay on the stairs. You'll have the high ground that way," Gramps said.