Skeleton Beats the Clock

Chapter 9: And the dead blame nothing

"Presentation was judged by the ghost faery children. A sample of each dish was given to their living duplicates to judge taste, texture and consistency," the host Mubry said through the PA system as Stevfan, Violynn and Monasugar sat in the lounge. "Now we'll here from the judges." There was a pause. Childish whispers. And a spokesperson with a clear voice began.

"Monasugar yours was a bit overbaked and still a bit doughy on the inside and didn't give that crunch factor it should've. Taste was underwhelming, the spices were overwhelming in texture and layers were sloppy and inconsistent. Maybe it was the timing that got the better of you. An hour isn't as long as it seems when you take into account preparation, thought and execution."

"My head wasn't in the game anymore," Monasugar said with a sigh. "I do want the money. I just didn't want to have to bake to do it. And I didn't think about what I wanted to bake prior to. Everything was rushed because I didn't have the mental preparedness. I was focused on the game show and not the baking. I'm an exceptional baker mind you. This seems to have all been a brainteaser challenge. One I have failed."

"Yes, it was that sort of challenge," the host Mubry confirmed. There was another shorter pause before the spokesperson spoke again.

"Violynn yours was simple but quite impressive in detail but a bit overdone in that same aspect as well. Taste was superb. The consistency was too consistent. I didn't think that was possible but I think you were overthinking the possibilities, which you should be aware of in the future. Stevfan your dish was a bit strange but piqued our interest nonetheless. Taste was dynamic and left us speechless on consistency and raised a curious brow on detail. Texture was exquisite as well, but left us baffled at the same time. The winner of the baking competition and the $10,000 cash prize is ..."

"Does anyone smell smoke?" Stevfan asked turning his head looking over his shoulder towards the kitchen.

"No," Violynn and Monasugar answered in unison.

"Was anything left on?" Stevfan said racing to the kitchen, checking the stove. "No, that's not it. Hmm, where's the smoke coming from."

"Maybe it's all in your head. Sit down. Stop causing a distraction!" Violynn shouted.

"If there's a problem, we'll have it inspected. But, please everyone compose yourselves," the host interjected.

There was a third longer pause.

"The winner is..."

"I smell smoke, too," Violynn broke in. The spiky tentacles inside the suckers in her nostrils struggled searching through the air. "It's so faint I can barely sense it neuropathically.

"The smoke?" Monasugar asked.

"No, of course not," she glared at him, her tentacles still searching the air. "Don't be silly. You know better than that." She let out a guttural groan. "This is so frustrating. And everyone else's nervous systems in the room are causing more confusion. Usually I can decipher between numerous nervous systems because they emit not only a neuro-musical scent but they glow in my powers automatic dark mode. And one will stand out the most. There are too many neuro-musical scents and too many glowing for me to choose at this time. But I haven't fed since we've been here. That may be adding to the screwing up of my body systems," Violynn said retracting her tentacles back into her nostrils.

"We're on live broadcast people. Let's get on with it. The winner is Stevfan DeHart. Congratulations."

Stevfan stood up and bowed towards the camera.

"You liar. You had no intention of splitting the money with me. I should've fed on you when I had the chance," Violynn murmured. Her tentacles shot out from her nostrils. Stevfan turned quick in mid-bow and grabbed her tentacles with both hands.