His Soul

Morbid Obsession

Panic flooded your entire being. Your heart was racing as you stood to your feet and climbed back up the steps, frantically looking around for any sight of the newly-freed jester. It was incredibly easy for Curioso to conceal himself if he so wished to - he could teleport anywhere he wanted and reduce himself down to his mask and mouth if desired. This was why you'd been so terrified of losing your grip on him...it would be like catching lightning in a bottle to get him in that box again.

When he escaped Andrew Collins, he had broken the box and hidden the pieces. Your grip on the item tightened as you refused to return it back in the backpack - knowing it was your only tool for containing him again. It was a leverage you needed and couldn't afford to lose.

"Curioso! Where did you go?" You tried the locked doors in the hallway again and made an aggravated noise when they still wouldn't open. "You made a promise ! You said you wouldn't try escaping again–" 

"Is it really escaping if *I* wasn't the one who let myself out?" His voice sounded from above you. You looked at the ceiling but failed to find him. It sounded like he was everywhere all around you at once. Damn parlor tricks. "Don't worry, Detective..! Now that I'm free, I can look around for you much easier."

Your stance faltered. How could you believe he was doing as he promised if he wasn't in your sight? He could be doing anything anywhere at this second. At least you could still hear him...that meant he must still be somewhere in the house. Right?

"That wasn't what we agreed to," Your voice was weak. You realized how little power you had in this situation. Maybe he could bend to your word? "We made a promise that you would stay in this box!"

"If I recall, all I declared was that I wouldn't TRY to escape, and I would help you. You'll let me fulfill my promise, won't you?"

You opened your mouth to argue, but had little to say to that. He was...technically right. You never made any explicit rule that he HAD to stay in the box, since you believed there was no way he could get out to begin with. You had to accept defeat in this circumstance. You could only hope for the best and that he wouldn't somehow...teleport away and never come back.

"Alright, if you want to help me, then open one of these doors." You walked up to one and knocked on it gently with your knuckle. "I need to find that missing puzzle piece so we can reach the basement. If there's a special lock on it like that, it's probably important."

"One moment..!"

You played his game and waited by the doorway, sighing as you realized your position now. Was this how the rest of the investigation would play out? Asking things of Curioso and just * hoping * that he would do them? It felt a lot less safe than having him on your back. You made a firm decision to have him back in that box the moment you could.

The doorknob suddenly twisted and the door opened loudly on its hinges, scaring the living daylights out of you. You know you just asked Curioso to open it, but you didn't really EXPECT that to happen. You had to stand there catching your breath before taking a step inside. It was the study of the house, with an attractive desk and display of guns on the wall behind it. There was a bookcase, a closet, and a red chaise inside. Your attention went to the closet first, searching for a safe or any clue of some kind.

"You're welcome~" Your jester partner teased. He sounded like he was right behind you this time, but when you whipped around, nobody was there. You were starting to get annoyed. He clearly knew he had the upper-hand and was flaunting it in your face.

"Where are you right now?"

"Searching the house. Finding useful things." This time his voice was clear. You looked up and found his face embedded on one of the coats. "I'm making speedy progress..!"