PROBLEM - Anthony Lockwood

CHAPTER SIXTY FOUR

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lxiv

in which it is dark and spooky. again.

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"I KNEW THERE was something special when I stole that Skull," George quipped as they packed supplies. "After I began my experiments, it was only a matter of time before it did something amazing. Well done, me."

Lockwood smirked, smacking George's arm, "Yeah, thank God for you, George."

"You realise we're making history here," George pointed out.

"You're not allowed to tell anyone," Lucy reminded.

"But your asset-value has rocketed," George grinned, "How about a little press conference?"

Alice rolled her eyes, "Hilarious."

"I'm just glad you finally believe me," Lucy assured.

"I'm a man of science, can't believe anything without evidence," George explained. His gaze flickered to Alice for a moment. "Would be nice to test out a bunch of different experiments, though? It's almost magical."

Alice wondered if she also needed to give him a crash course in keeping his mouth shut, but she laughed anyway.

Lockwood paused as he loaded his bag, realising the one thing he was missing was iron chains. "Ally, why don't you go upstairs and pack the skull while we finish down here?"

Alice, perplexed at the request, decided not to question it and nodded anyway, grabbing her bag and beginning to walk up the basement stairs. She turned, calling down to Lucy. "Should I pack some strawberries?"

"Fuck you!" Lucy yelled.

"Love you too!" Alice squealed.

Lucy watched as Alice disappeared into the main floor. "Why'd you tell her to do that?"

Lockwood turned grabbing the box of chains. "I didn't want her to see us pack these."

George blanched, "What? Are they for her?"

Lockwood dropped the chain on the ground with a clatter. "What the fuck? No, of course not. Where'd you get that idea from?"

Lucy groaned, "I'm surrounded by idiots."

Meanwhile, Alice flicked the skull's glass with her finger, glaring. "You better keep your mouth shut, you decomposing scum of an earth witch, or I swear to Hecate I'm throwing your ass in running water."

The skull seemed to be rolling its nonexistant eyes. "You have nothing to worry about, Deane. As long as you set me free."

Alice rose an eyebrow, "I think you're confusing which one of us is in charge here. I will turn your grubby little self over to the Orpheus Society myself if I have to. Believe me, I have a way of attracting them towards me."

"You woudn't dare!" the skull hissed.

Alice grabbed her knife, preparing to make a cut on her hand so that she could forcibly send the skull to the Other Side.

"Wait, wait, wait!" the Skull yelled, preventing her from cutting her hand and realising what she was doing, "I'll shut up about you!"

Alice put away her knife. "Good!"

By nightfall, they were breaking into the abandoned Bickerstaff house.

"I have the horrible feeling that you have experience breaking into places," George mused, watching as Alice kicked the glass of the door until it shattered and then reached inside to open the door.