Don't Keep the Lights On

Chapter 9

The two guards peered at us, more curious than angry. "Bailey? We got mortals here!" One of the guards said. They looked like an embodiment of Anubis. They had dog like faces with grey fur and red eyes. They were human on their bare torsos, but from the bottom down they had a loin cloth and then wolf hind legs with pearly white claws. Worst of all, they each had a tail...a scorpion tail with a poisonous barb at the end. "Mortals and Ghosts!" The one called Bailey clapped his hands gleefully. "What ye all going down 'ere for? Ain't nothing 'ere."  Bailey's friend asked suspiciously.

"The book. The puppeteer's book." Dolly said confidently. "Hmph." Bailey said. "Y'all are too late. He already took off with it. The one in the tower's fake. Sorry lads." "What?!" Hannah jabbed a finger at the guards. We need to see for ourselves. Let us in!" Bailey and his partner shrugged. "Can't say we didn't warn ya. There are monsters 'ere." They stepped aside an we ran into the tower. Immediately, there was a low growl. "Who disrupts the silence...?" "We have come for a book....." Andrea said uncertainly. Suddenly, a shadow like figure burst out, giving an ear piercing shriek.

It lunged at Andrea. "Those who dare pass my realm will suffer a long and painful death!!!!" It  wailed. Andrea screamed as the thing clawed her, ripping out organs and splattering itself-and us with blood and other bodily fluids. The screaming stopped abruptly. The thing stood up, wiping it's mouth, and disappeared into mist. "Andrea!" I cried, rushing to her side. Andrea was twitching on the floor, foam building up in her mouth. "Don't die, Andrea, please..." I whispered, but I knew it was a lots hope. Andrea gave a gasp, miraculously the thing had left her heart and lungs intact, and lay still. The others watched in stunned silence.

The cold air blew through the empty hallways as we stood, standing vigil for our lost friend. And the realisation finally set in.

Andrea was Dead.