The Masked Butler: The Pit and the Pendulum

Room of Disturbance

Nico stretched and yawned before rolling over. He wriggled his toes as he pulled the covers closer to his head and scooted down an inch or two. He buried his head into the pillow, the warmth of the covers hugged him just so, making him feel safe. His eyelids fluttered open though he wanted to go back to sleep. He peeked out at his room. The flames danced and crackled in the fireplace. A short snore came from the mound of blankets on the floor as it shifted a little. Nico wondered what time it had to have been if Erik still slept. Though, he could still be sleeping since they had gone to bed really late. Whatever the case, Nico was glad that he didn't have to get up quite yet. And then his thoughts turned to the mystery. Despite what the doctor suggested, it was most certainly not the spirit of Elizabeth pirMedina that wandered the corridors at night. As a matter of fact, Nico had not sensed any spirits wandering the corridors last night at all. Perhaps in the years since the Inquisition ended all of the spirits had been appeased and could move on, if any had stayed before. Nico went down the list of suspects. Doctor Leon, a good friend of the Medinas. What would he gain if Nicholas went mad? The butler, Maximilian, seemed steady and calm, much like any good butler. Was he hiding something beneath that calm facade? The maid, Maria, the unlikeliest of all, she genuinely seemed spooked by the whole thing and Nico doubted she knew how to play the piano. What then of Catherine Medina? No, impossible, she was with them when the music was playing too. Which really only left the butler and Nicholas unaccounted for when the piano was playing. But Catherine mentioned Nicholas couldn't play, which only left the butler. Nico blinked. Something still wasn't right. What was he missing?

A soft snort interrupted his thoughts. The blankets moved some more before Erik got up. He stretched, then swung his arms around a couple of times. He moved out of Nico's line of vision. Nico quickly closed his eyes and focused on the blankets hugging him. A few minutes passed before a hand gently touched his shoulder.

"It's time to get up, my lord. I'm sure the others are also getting up and getting their breakfast."

Nico groaned. "Just a few more minutes? Please?"

Erik chuckled softly. "Now, now, we both know you want to get to the bottom of this mystery."

Nico grunted. "Yeah, but I also want to sleep too."

"I think you have had plenty of sleep," said Erik with a chuckle.

Nico sighed as he pushed the covers back and slid out of the safe, comfortable warmth onto the chilly, wooden floor. He rubbed his eyes as Erik placed his clothes besides him. With Erik's help he quickly changed.

"Would you like me to find out what's for breakfast?"

Nico nodded. "Please, and ask if I can request something else for breakfast."

Erik bowed. "Of course, my lord." He turned, and paused. A shrill scream echoed through the castle. Their eyes were wide as they glanced at each other.

"At least our ghost was kind enough to wait until we were awake," quipped Nico as they rushed to the door. Erik yanked the door open and Nico met Francis and Catherine in the hall. Another scream pierced the castle's eerie silence.

"Where is it coming from?" asked Francis.

Catherine pointed down the hall. "From Elizabeth's room!" The four dashed towards the room. The doctor came up the stairs and got to the door first when the maid exited, whimpering.

"My goodness, what is it, child?" Doctor Leon asked her. Francis and Nico entered the room, but their quick scan of it only revealed a duster on the floor. They exited the room to find that the doctor escorted the maid to a nearby seat. "Now, tell us what happened."

"I, I heard her!"

"Heard her?"

"The mistress! I heard the mistress! 'Maria,' she said, 'Maria, leave this room!'"