And Then There Were Fewer

26. Signaling

Quinn, Puck, Santana and Sam standing outside on the beach trying to signal to the city.

Quinn looking back toward the house. "One feels safer here – out in the open. Let's not go back into the house."

"Not a bad idea. We're pretty safe, no one can get at us without our seeing him." Puck agreeing with Quinn.

"We'll stay here." Santana said.

"Have to pass the night somewhere. We'll have to go back to the house then." Sam reply.

Quinn shuddering. "I can't spend another night in that place."

"You'll be safe enough, locked up in your room." Puck reply.

"It's two. What about lunch?" Sam asked.

"We are not going back into the house. We are going to stay here."  Santana and Quinn said.

"Come on, girls. Got to keep your strength up, you know." Sam reply.

"If I ever see a tinned tongue, I will vomit! I don't want to eat." Santana reply.

"Well, I need my meals regular. What about you, Puck?"

"You know, I don't like the idea of tinned tongue. I'll stay here with Quinn.

Sam hesitates

"I'll be fine, he won't shoot me." Quinn said.

"I won't be so sure of that" Santana as she was walking  towards the house.

"All right, if you insist. But we agreed not to separate." Sam said.

"You're the one who wants to go. I'll come with you if you want." Puck reply.

"No you won't. You'll stay here." Sam said. " I'll go catch up Santana."

"So you're still afraid of me? Why, I could shoot you both this very minute if I wanted to." Puck said.

"Yes, but that wouldn't be according to plan. It's one at a time, and it's got to be done a certain way." Sam said.

"Well, you seem to know all about it." Puck reply.

"Of course, it's a bit risky going into the house alone –" Sam said.

"So will I lend you my revolver? No! I won't!" Puck asked.

Sam shrugs and leaves. 

Puck looking after him. "Feeding time at the Zoo! The animals are very regular in their habits!" Puck said.

"Isn't it very risky, what he's doing?" Quinn said.

"No! I don't think it is! Artie's not armed you know, and he's not as strong. And anyway it's impossible that Artie's in the house." Puck said.

"But what other solution can there be?" Quinn asked.

"There's Sam or Santana." Puck said.

"Do you really think –" Quinn reply.

"Listen. You heard his story. You've got to admit that if it's true, it clears me. But it doesn't clear him. We've only got his word that he heard footsteps and saw a man going downstairs. The whole thing may be a lie. he may have gotten rid of Artie a couple hours before that." Puck said.

"How?" Quinn questioned.

"I don't know. But if you ask me, Sam's our only danger! And he could have done every single one of these kills." Puck Said.

"And supposing he gets us? He probably already kill Santana and us, here in the beach." Quinn said. 

"I'm going to take very good care that he doesn't." Puck looking at Quinn curiously. "Putting faith in me, Quinn? Quite sure I won't shoot you?" 

"I have to trust someone! As a matter of fact, I think you're wrong about Sam. I still think it's Artie. Don't you feel that there's someone watching – and waiting – all the time?" Quinn said.

"That's just nerves." Puck said.

"So you have felt it?" Quinn leans closer "I read a story once about two judges that came to a small American town – and delivered justice – absolute justice. Because they didn't come from this world at all..."

"Heavenly visitors? No, this crime's human enough." Puck said.

"Sometimes – I'm not sure..." Quinn said.

"That's conscience... you kill our child, I still can't get over that?" Puck said to her.

"I didn't! I didn't! You have no right to say that!" Quinn said.

"Oh yes you did, my girl! I don't know why." Puck say.

A faint thud is heard.

"What was that? It wasn't an earthquake?" Quinn asked.

"No... I also thought I heard a cry... it came from the house. We'd better go up and see." Puck said.

"No, I'm not going!" Quinn looking scared said.

"Suit yourself. I'm going." Puck said.

"Then I'll come with you." Quinn reply.

Puck and Quinn go running to the house and  find Sam and Santana lying spread-eagled with a bear-shaped clock next to them. Their heads are bloody.

Puck looking up. "Who's window is that upstairs?"

"It's mine – and that's the clock from my mantelpiece... it was shaped like a bear... shaped like a bear..." Quinn said. 

Puck grasps Quinn's shoulder.

"That settles it. Artie is hiding somewhere in that house. I'm going to find him." Puck suggested.

Quinn clinging to him. "Don't be a fool! It's us now! We're next! He wants us to look for him! He's counting on it!" 

"There's something in that." Puck said.

"At any rate, I was right!" Quinn said.

"Yes, you win! It's Artie all right. But where did he hide himself? We went over the place with a fine-tooth comb!" Puck said.

"There must have been some place that you didn't check! Like a Priest-hole in old manor houses." Quinn said.

"There wouldn't be one here. And that first morning we went over everything. There's no place unaccounted for." Puck said.

"There must be!" Quinn told him.

"I'd like to see –" Puck said.

"Yes, you'd like to see! And he knows that! He's in there, waiting for you!" Quinn said.

Puck removing revolver. "I've got this, you know!" 

"You said Sam was all right – that he was more than a match for Artie! He was physically and he was on the lookout! But what you don't seem to realize is that Artie is mad! And a madman has the advantage on his side! He's twice as cunning as any sane person!" Quinn said.

Puck puts revolver back in pocket. "Then what are we going to do when night comes?" Quinn doesn't answer. "You haven't thought of that?" Puck said.

"What can we do? Oh, my God, I'm scared..."  Quinn said.

"It's fine weather. There will be a moon. We can find a place – up in the cliffs maybe. We can sit there and wait for morning, but we can't go to sleep. We must watch the whole time. And if anyone comes up towards us, I will shoot! Will you be cold, in that thin dress?" Puck said.

"I should be colder if I were dead!" Quinn told him. "I shall go mad if I sit here any longer. Let's go."

"All right." Puck answered.