Endgame

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Out of the darkened hallway steps my most feared nightmare. Red eyed and gory, my mother stands before me in all her demonic glory. Deep down, I know this thing isn't really my mother. It's evil masked in her form.

"She wants the book. Just give it to her," Blair screams. Terrified, she starts to heave the book in the creature's direction, but I stay her arms.

"No. This book has to be destroyed before that thing gets it." I grab the grimoire and race down the hallway. Behind me, I hear loping, bare feet slapping the tiles. I'm huffing, running as fast as I can, but the monster's gaining on me. Rounding the corner, I nearly smack through Donna's ghostly form. She looks at me curiously, until she sees the demonic entity bearing down on me. Eyes widening, Donna tries to flee, but I scream. "Find Jason Stanford. He's responsible for your murder."

I can't stop to see if she's listened, because I have reached the museum's exit doors. They're locked. "Help!" I know my cries are useless. Connor is on the opposite side of the museum and oblivious to my dilemma. I'm trapped. The snarling demoness closes in on me, her clawed hands extended. When her hands are inches away from my throat, I do the last thing either of us expects. I throw my arms around her and embrace her hideous form. "I love you mom," I whisper into her hair. Then I wait for her to kill me. The creature stiffens and stops moving. It's all the time I need, as I see Blair arrive. Throwing the book into her direction, I shout, "Burn it! It's our only chance."

Blair runs back down the hallway with book. The demon snarls and angrily slashes at my face, then races after its new quarry. Blood drips into my eyes as I painfully make my way back to the smoldering exhibit room. Blair's not there, only Connor and Dylan.

"Lizzy, are you alright?" Connor looks with alarm at the gashes on my face.

"Yes, I'll live." I rip a piece of my shirt hem off to staunch the blood flow. "We have to help Blair. A demon's after her and the grimoire. I told her to burn it, but I'm afraid she's going to try to use it to fight the creature."

Connor looks agonized. "Where is she?"

We both stop and listen, but there's only the sound of fire truck sirens getting louder as they arrive. I scan the museum trying to pick up some psychic activity. Suddenly, I have a strong unexplained urge to head to the Medieval exhibit. "Come on." I pull Connor with me, "We have to make sure that book doesn't open the portal to hell."

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