Sixteen. 16

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As Bo excused himself to attend to the ongoing 'funeral,' Lilian, ever perceptive, sensed the need for a diversion. The opportunity presented itself as she glanced around, her eyes catching the intriguing wax museum they had glimpsed earlier. With a twinkle in her eye, she proposed, "I noticed the wax museum that caught your attention down the road before. Maybe we could go visit it while we wait for him."

Wade, eager for a change of scenery and genuinely curious about Lilian's reference to the "famous house of wax," enthusiastically embraced the idea. His grin mirrored Lilian's excitement, leaving Carly's words momentarily lingering for approval.

"Why not?" Wade replied with a grin. "It'll be a quick way to pass the time."

Carly, somewhat hesitant yet intrigued by the prospect, chimed in cautiously, "Sure, but let's make it quick. I don't want to be poking around some creepy wax figures for too long."

Undeterred by Carly's reservations, Lilian and Wade embarked on a journey to the run-down "Trudy's House of Wax." The very essence of the town seemed encapsulated within this peculiar tourist trap, a place where everything, including the museum itself, was meticulously crafted from wax. As they approached the front steps, the clear visual of abandonment and the passage of time became undeniable. Foggy windows revealed the interior's secrets, and weeds stood as silent witnesses, almost as tall as Lilian, claiming ownership of the building. A 'closed' sign hung on the door, a clear indication that the world inside had been shut off from the outside.

Carly, unsure about Wade's seemingly impulsive idea, voiced her skepticism, "You're not gonna go in there, are you?" Her disapproval was evident as she watched Wade pick the door.

"Doesn't 'closed' mean 'I don't want you in here'?" Lilian added with a humorous tone, intrigued by the mysterious allure of what might be held inside.

Wade, undeterred by their concerns, laughed and reassured them, "Relax. I just want to take a quick look." With a gallant gesture, he opened the door, inviting Lilian to enter first.

As the trio stepped into the wax museum, a surreal atmosphere surrounded them. The wax figures stood frozen, each one a silent storyteller covered in a thin layer of dust that whispered tales of a bygone era. The museum seemed frozen in time, a forgotten relic from a past that demanded exploration. The air inside held a mixture of nostalgia and eerie anticipation, creating a setting ripe for unexpected discoveries. 

Upon entering, the trio found themselves surrounded by a surreal environment. Lilian, drawn to the unique sculptures, marveled at the intricate details in each stroke, captivated by the artistry on display. As they ventured deeper, they encountered wax renditions of the Sinclairs, the apparent former owners of the museum. The eerie stillness of the wax figures gave the impression of a town frozen in time, a haunting testament to its deserted history.

Deciding to explore the museum individually, Lilian chose a path that diverged from Wade and Carly. Her initial focus was on the smaller wax sculptures, each telling the struggle the artist went through with its detailed craftsmanship. Mesmerized by the artistry, she found herself standing before a picture of the Sinclairs, owners of the museum.

As Lilian continued her exploration, her attention was inevitably drawn to the human wax sculpture. Goosebumps prickled across her skin as she examined the life-sized figure, marveling at its uncanny realism. The eyes, eerily vivid, seemed to pierce through her soul, leaving an indelible impression of an almost living presence. The figure, with its lifelike details and hauntingly realistic appearance, evoked a sense of unease, challenging the boundaries between art and reality.

In the hushed stillness of the abandoned wax museum, Lilian found herself captivated by the paradoxical beauty and eeriness that surrounded her. The air was heavy with the scent of aged wax, and the dim lighting cast elongated shadows on the frozen figures, intensifying the surreal atmosphere. The experience, both unsettling and intriguing, left Lilian contemplating the mysteries embedded within the wax museum's silent tableau, each wax figure a silent witness to a narrative that remained frozen in time.

Wade, exploring another section, called out with a hint of excitement, "You guys won't believe the detail on these wax figures! It's like they captured every wrinkle and expression." His voice echoes through Lilian's ears, causing a momentary shift of gaze.

Carly, still a bit wary, responded, "Yeah, but let's not forget we're in a deserted wax museum in the middle of nowhere. This place gives me the creeps." Lilian, still entranced by the wax figure before her, added, "It's just wax, what harm could it do?"

WHOOSH! Lilian's head snapped around in response to a sudden rush of air, a quick breeze that seemed out of place in the confines of the wax museum. It left her momentarily puzzled; after all, being deep within the building, there should be no wind to stir the air around her. The distant mutters and murmurs of Carly and Wade, not within her line of sight, dispelled the notion that her companions were the source of this mysterious breeze.

Curiosity sparked, and Lilian called out softly, "Hello?" Her voice echoed through the quiet museum, an attempt to connect with what she initially presumed might be a stray animal taking refuge within these walls—perhaps a wandering dog, given the strength of the breeze she felt. But as she contemplated the oddity of the situation, WHOOSH! The breeze returned, this time closer than before, dispelling the idea of an animal as its cause. A stray thought crossed her mind: could someone be residing here, perhaps one of the descendants of the Sinclairs?

"Hell—" Lilian's words were abruptly cut off when Carly's voice rang out, "Hey, Lilian! There's a dog out here!" Turning towards Carly's voice, Lilian released a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. The mysterious breeze could be attributed to a harmless animal, and she mumbled to herself, "Just an animal."

Oblivious to the enigmatic presence that had been unsettling her, Lilian made her way towards Carly and Wade, the soft glow of the wax figures casting eerie shadows along the path. Unbeknownst to her, unseen eyes continued to observe from the shadows, leaving a lingering sense of mystery in the air.

The museum, once silent and still, now held a subtle tension, as if the wax figures themselves harbored secrets waiting to be unveiled. The atmosphere grew charged with anticipation, and Lilian's every step echoed through the museum like a note of suspense in an untold tale.

House Of Wax : Nick Jones FF ✅Where stories live. Discover now