Mongol - Corpses of the Divine IV: Mongol, #4

By Nicu Stefan Cristian

He backed away from the pain, and from the gust came, almost as a wicked trance, a cannon ball firing and bursting through the table, breaking even through the thickest layers of the house.
It was mere meters that prevented the disembowelment of her hand, the blindness of the eye.
The cannon subsidies back, and it was the fear in her eyes that she could not deny.
'What was that?

You haven't told me about that.
''I'm terribly sorry my dear, though it seems our time is running short.

'She pointed at it, the burning oak, replaced by trees, corrupted and misguided by the shaped form.
'This is it, make the choice!
'Her voices echoed as the branches approached, stretching from the other side of the room, demanding everything of her.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Nicu Stefan Cristian
• Release date: Jun 6, 2024
• ISBN: 9798227300799

Book preview

A rich man after all needed to work as well, and he was fairly certain that I was about to do my job.

Once his private car arrived, he was nowhere to be seen anymore. Our brief meeting resulted in quite that pact I'd say.

Speaking of which.

'In what have you gotten yourself into?

'It was quite strange that he was the only one who managed to escape. 'Now, where were we?

'The stench became evident during the day rather than at night.

As the heat came, it fell upon the concoction which filled the hole. It felt like the corpses were still in the process of decay.

Certainly, the answer was there, as if there was something there obviously rotting.

Perhaps their corpses were as deeply pushed below as he had thoughts. Someone had to be announced by it at least till the middle of the day.

It was at eight in the morning, one hour after I woke up that I called a cab for myself.

There wasn't any need for the money anymore since I was about to be handsomely paid after all.

But I had to meet with a friend, urgently and ask for his advice. He didn't live too far from here, as it were.

'On the St.

Salmon seventeen.

'There was quite the traffic out there, but I didn't dare look anywhere else.

Everyone except this one man who dared stop managed to pass through without even throwing a glance.

Could this have been a hoax after all?

'Hey, before we go in, mind if I ask you something? ''Go ahead ser.

''What do you know about the mansion you just picked me up from?

'I tried looking through the small mirror to see the change of expression which fell on his face.

At least there was some kind of fear and distrust.

'Well, we don't speak about it here in the county, it's just something we don't do.

''And why is that?

If I may so bold as I am.

''It's because the punishment that man received from the lord, they say. You didn't hear this from me but they say he was a vile man.

'He spoke of him as if he was a tyrant, a vile creature which tormented the poor denizens of the town and overworked them to death.

It's strange, for most of the factories were still all of his.

But this man was so eager to speak of ill that it made me wonder whenever or not it was true.

Surely enough he appeared to be sincere but this account made him appear exaggeratedly cruel.

'They say he lived through meetings and celebrations while the people working his machines were dying while standing infernal hours in the toxic chambers.

A bad omen, bad indeed.

''But how did it happen then?

This isn't really making any sense either.

From what he said, it just fell from the sky, all of the sudden.

But there's no hole that just falls from the sky and melts everything, crushing wood and stone without a notice.

''Aye, that's what it happened, believe it or not.

You're not the first one to question it, there were others, stood and left as soon as they came.

Something in that place behind leaves a warning.

'There was more to it, something which he was hiding, I was utmost certain.

'Say, did Pond have any enemies I should be aware of? Someone who hated him or wanted him dead?

An old friend or a rival, perhaps someone from the families which were affected by the work?

'A reluctance came over the cab driver, at which he bore me to the point where I needed to be left.

'Do yourself a favour and don't return.

No, this one is on me, but I won't take you back and I won't let you go either.

That's a bad place right there and everyone involved ends up suffering now.

'A glint of something of a dark smoke became clear in his neck.

This man was close to being mad, though I accepted his offer and went away.

This should've been the apartment.

Luckily for me, I arrived a week before the contract and met with the locals, just to be certain.

It was a common building, and from what I remember, he lived on the eight floor.

In a dirty little elevator with no one around who'd want to be disturbed.

He should've been home, door left open, standing in a room filled with smoke.

Damn this man, he almost destroyed my lungs in moments.

I had to open a window from the inside only to find out that it was sealed shut.

There should've been another in the bath, which got promptly opened. 'And here's the guest of honour, sleeping on the couch.

'He passed without a doubt from the rum in his hand.

There should've been a broken barrel here somewhere but time wasn't on my side.

'Jack Wakefield.

Come on buddy.

'Somehow, I knew that it would've been difficult to wake him up now, especially under these circumstances.

But I couldn't wait either.

A splash of water would've been enough.

He was about to wake up himself anyway, henceforth, I waited there in front of his table.

Quite the collection of newspaper laid there.

The dates on them went as far as years before something of great importance even happened.

No wonder the Gazette never had this event on, at this rate none would find out.

'Fellow.

''I'm glad you're already awake, we have something to discuss now. ''What do you want now?

I've already told you.

'He was too far into it to be able to recognise me.

Perhaps some ammonia would've been just perfect to wake him up. 'Who am I exactly.

''The man with the hat that came yesterday, no? Two days ago, carrying something of an envelope.

''It's close enough John, I came here looking for assistance with the thing we've spoken about.

Are you still up to it now?

'From the likes of it, he didn't appear to be much of any condition at all to help.

'John.

''Right, I'm here, you came to ask me for something. ''I see that this became a waste of time then.

''Wait, alright, I just woke up, let me get a coffee and we'll talk. It's over there, still in the.

''I saw it.

'This man was the only other detective I managed to find.

Either something happened to the rest or it wasn't as popular as a profession around these parts.

From the looks of it, he wasn't any different than the town drunk. Though something of his reputation appeared to carry him over.

Some spoke while others highly praised his work, perhaps to the point of overshadowing this problem of his.

Boiling the water took something of a few minutes, putting the coffee, waiting.

At least two cups of stood on his table.

I wanted to remove something from it so there'd be enough space, but he refused.

'Let them there.

'The newspapers were too old to be missed in case one of us spilt some of the coffee on the table.

'Well, are you feeling better now?

Can we at last talk about what we need to do? ''The Pond case, with the manor, I remember.

'That was fast, to the point of me feeling something which had been in the coffee.

It was a strong scent, a chemical of some kind which was placed inside it.

Normally I'd be against but I needed answers. 'Were you there at any point at all?

''No, I wasn't called.

But I've heard that most of the people who were called apparently disappeared or immediately leftSomething kept getting rid of them.

''And there wasn't any of who was called to investigate this? 'John didn't do much other than shrug his shoulders at this.

'No one cares enough to pay for them, neither the city nor the families.

Speaking of which, there weren't any complaints that came. And no complaints, no evidence, so on and so forth.

''That neither the authorities came to investigate or do anything about it.

''Not to mention that it became apparent that this Pond Wick is an eccentric man, rich as well.

He owns half of the factories and manufacturing in the town. ''Then why do people shun him if he practically owns this town? 'There came the second shrug before John went on.

'It doesn't excuse the rumours and what they say about him.

Perhaps there's nothing but a whisper or a bad thing but they say that he's the one who called for this pit from above.

''Why would he wish the death of his family and guests? ''The people there, you knew about them?

How?

It wasn't written in the records, most of us know because we could hear the noise coming all the way through the forest directly towards us.

''It was.

.

.

I asked Lord Pond, that's all, nothing more and nothing less. ''Right, now, as I was saying.

They say he did this to himself to get the insurance of his mansion.

Fairly enough, it's not often that it happens for a dark hole to fall from above.

The circumstances were nothing short of bizarre, but nonetheless, it worked in his favour.

A free man, even richer and a few people he hated were gone. ''People he hated?

''Didn't he tell you this then?

Mister Pond had a habit of going around and inviting everyone to his parties.

People from his entourage, those who he hated or he hated back.

In return, he had this persona or having to show off even to those who deserved it or not in his mind.

''So there's the motif.

But if this is true and no one does anything about it, why was I called in the first place?

To investigate I mean.

'This was the last time he shrugged before standing up.

He had finished his drink and if I remember correctly, John had promised to come and take a look around before the afternoon.

'Why he called you say?

Well, we're about to find out once we take a look at it, won't we? 'He locked the door but not before getting his jacket.

This came just in time as he was the only one between us who drove a car.

Since it was obvious that I wasn't going to enter any cab of the kind, this came as a pleasant surprise.

'John, thanks for helping me.

''You don't suppose he'll have something to say about this whole ordeal, do ye?

''He won't find out I hope, plus, you only need to take a look and give me a second opinion about this, nothing more.

I'll inform you of the details on the way.

'This was a few minute drive, as the twisted road didn't lead to much to be expected.

He appeared to know more than he was letting off. At least about the whole story in mind.

As a sober man, he finally appeared to be a decent worker, calmer and focused on the road.

I could see that spark in his eye, that which signalled something of a mind of his own.

Perhaps he only came because he was simply curious about the entire ordeal and nothing more.

'So, just take the next left and we should be there. ''Weren't we supposed to drive a little longer on the front?

I was sure he was at least halfway through the forest, at least until the turn of his mansion.

''Your memory seems to be dimmed, just take the left and we should be there.

'He complied quite quickly despite his ongoing protest.

It must've been the memory which was the problem of it, all that drinking started to affect him.

One last thing he needed to do, at least until he eventually fell in that drunken stooper which awaited him.

'So, like I said, it's here. ''It's not supposed to be here.

'He quickly jerked into his seat as he threw another glance.

For him, this was all wrong, the position and just how close it now was. At the moment of our arrival, John was quite perplexed by what he saw.

Every rumour he's ever heard turned out to be true to every word. In the day, this appeared far more shocking than in the night.

The stench did much to wake him as well. 'So, what do you think about it?

''Way too big.

What exactly did happen here?

And I don't mean that a hole had truly fallen from above the sky, which makes no sense whatsoever.

'He jerked in a spot before moving on.

Strangely, that thing, a substance in that pool called for both of us to approach now.

'Let's see it again, I'll at least tell you what I think it happened.

Perhaps it wasn't a blunt object, I thought that the single most plausible explanation might've been that it melted through.

''How could wood exactly melt?

''If a hard object fell from the sky, a space rock or anything alike, it would've crushed the entire foundation.

But look at the marks on the upper floor. It's perfectly even everywhere.

Where's the last place you've ever seen something cut so perfectly even? 'This was indeed strange.

Too much for one to take alone.

He didn't have the guts for it, I could already see it in him. 'Wouldn't there be burn marks, ashes, or anything there?

All that I could see makes it seem like it was cut with the help of a saw.

''Wouldn't that remove any claim from the money he was supposed to get? ''It would've.

'Said John but something about that scent really drove him away to get some air.

'It might be toxic, I'd rather have you stay away from it as long as you can.

You need to go.

''I can't go now, especially since I found out that I was the only one to come and accept the job.

Are you insane?

''No, but you are if you think you can just stand here and take this. It's not worth your life.

'This sudden compassion for me seemed to be fake.

Did he plan to take on this alone and replace me in the long run? I only need an extra opinion, nothing else, and he delivered.

'I think I'll be able to handle myself from now on if you excuse me.

'Despite his warnings, I saw his skin turn to a painless I haven't seen before.

At least this removed any suspicion I had about him trying to fake his distaste.

'Fine, do whatever you like, but before I go, take a look at the back of the mansion and see it for yourself, it was moved I tell you!

You're on your own.

''Fine, crawl to your car, I didn't need your help in the first place.

It might've even saved me a bill if you told me in time that you were too scared to do anything to help me.

'After hearing the gate close behind my back, I've had no other choice but to return to my investigation.

Regardless of what he previously said, I wanted to make sure that what he said about this mansion being moved was true.

I just needed to see for myself.

But not until I saw his car driven away, which he waited for some reason in the road.

Was he spying on me now?

It raised an awkward situation, especially since lord Pond wasn't aware of the fact that I wanted to ask for someone.

I could hear in my mind. 'What?

I thought we settled that you'd worked for me, not some cheap town dwelling drunk.

Should've known better before trying to hire a two shoed good for nothing city folk such as yourself.

'He went away, alas I was safe once again.

It was to be the reason why I needed him, at least to confirm.

Going around didn't take long and I started to notice just in how good of a condition the house was.

From this side, it appeared to be more than fine.

It was well enough that someone could not bat a second eye and believe that someone was willingly living in the mansion.

One turn nonetheless revealed the trail left on the ground.

It was almost as if the ground was tilled by someone all the way through.

And whatever was in that black basin, its small fumes managed to hide whatever laid behind of it.

It worked well, I had to admit, one-second glance past the poll and the hole through the mansion and I couldn't see the gate.

There was quite the amount of evidence to be found.

Not the concealment alone but the fact that this mansion might've not only been cut but also dragged from one point to another.

'But damn that stupid mistake.

I shouldn't have told him about what I dreamed, now he'll think me as nothing but an Agrippaeamateur.

'Something was in store for me later, after lord Pond came back to check on me.

At least a few hours left on the clock for me to check on everything which laid in sight.

For this was the best excuse to get away.

What I didn't want to admit was the fact that I started being affected. The fumes appeared to attack the lungs at a certain level.

Relentlessly attacking anything which might've helped me in the long run. Just one more step and I was out of the strange rage this area had.

Nothing but a field now, as long as I could see.

All I had to do now was the follow the marks on the ground.

In a few days, there wouldn't be any doubt, perhaps weeks or months at best, but the rain would hide it away.

Certainly, someone else had to notice this. Too well to have been dragged, I noticed. 'Someone might've pushed it rather, but how?

'The mansion was old, despite its good condition and the strange circumstances.

As I arrived at the point where the mansion, which I assumed to be taken away from, I looked at the ground and saw no strange mark.

Looking on the right, I became aware that it faced the other way.

One single closed gate, the same type as the one in the front, which meant that behind the fence, there should've been another one.

'Another one.

'It got my attention.

There laid stairs on the ground.

But as I looked at them I noticed that they were quite far from this entrance.

At least twenty or forty meters away.

Which meant that this wasn't even the original position whatsoever. A trail came to mind at least in the few moments.

There made no sense whatsoever for it to be pushed.

One line of people waited here to get inside, I was sure of it. Something like my dream appeared to be inviting to me.

It made me feel well deep inside but distracted from this conundrum. The perfect condition, without a scratch and cut through.

What else could it mean but the fact that the mansion also missed another entire level which was stunned below?

Foul play was seriously at play, but if what he said was true, this meant that there were corpses of his wife and spawns.

It was serious.

Enough that I continued with the scheme inside my head.

The mansion was big, quite enormous, for it to have been brought to that position, it should've been dragged around into the position I saw the marks begin.

After that, it was simply pushed without a question to that new spot. Of which he might've been aware.

Lord Pond did keep all those working houses for his servants and what not for a reason.

And there wasn't any question that this was made without his knowledge.

Damn John, I knew I should've kept you around.

It appeared like it was a handful, to say the least.

Still, a deal was a deal, and it appeared like there was a long way back, with me having everything I had.

Only but the noises from the insects which had gathered.

Left uncut, I saw how this place was filled to the least with what seemed to be a jungle.

Growths of weed and fallen trunks, this place was unclean to the spot. Just how long ago had this happened?

I asked myself on the way.

There wasn't any way I would believe this if I didn't see it again but something laid in there calling for me.

It concealed any attempt I would've had to look through.

Sad thing, to say the least, now to the actual investigation. 'How may I approach this without being taken as they have?

'Again with the conundrum, at least it might've slowed me down if it weren't for the fact that a tool shed laid not as far.

Something was boiling there, and I could see the bubbled.

What I thought to be only a veil of darkness turned out to be the substance I was so afraid for it to be.

'Why have I doubted you?

'This appeared to be a strange factor in it, a voice that didn't speak. A substance that didn't rise any further than the bubbles it had inside. 'The tool shed.

'I remembered, as for seeing no reflection in that patternless liquid. What I need for myself was a simple long and sharp ladder.

For what was about to be done remained dangerous, to say the least. Especially since I was about to lay directly above the fumes.

A damage that could possibly go through and never be healed in case I was the effect.

'Here you are, laying just well.

'It had pints that stick in the ground and a second extension that would push it to at least a few meters in the air.

Perfect for what I needed to do.

One strike and I was there, standing just behind the window. Despite being close, it was on the verge of being broken.

Certainly, he wouldn't remember, but with a tucked elbow, I strode past the ladder and broke the window open.

Pushing with it, I threw away every piece of glass I found, past the curtain and everything else which laid there, making just enough room for me to go past.

The floor was still sturdy, as for a moment I was afraid.

Just as I thought, the floor was in an even better condition than I have previously thought about.

Despite my momentary panic, I managed to secure my position.

The planks under me made no noise, but as dizzy, as I started to become, I was driven away.

There was plenty to explore around, as good as this sounded.

Everything about this, once again, would've appeared quite normal to one if it weren't for what was down there.

Speaking of it.

'The marks, I need to check them now.

'Withing safe distance, my hands just came over the marks where the supposed cuts might've been.

I figured that there should've been something of a mark.

Nothing, just pure cuts, with the stuffing still set into the foundation. And there was something else as well.

There was no mention of it.

Whatever fell or cut didn't leave a mark, making this almost the job of someone who knew what they were doing.

He couldn't have said the truth though.

A hole doesn't just fall from the sky, that's not how it is.

But here this place, still in its previous state.

I needed to know why were all the clothes still sitting in as good of a condition.

Time didn't affect the drawer at all. No dust had come inside of it.

This manner of looking at it made this place appear like it was somehow saved in a different bubble, to the point of being stopped in time.

Next, I checked the lamp to see the light. 'How?

'I asked myself but decided to go further.

As obvious as this lead might've been I've pulled the wire and started following it.

There was already quite the destruction there.

Something needed to be prioritised over this before I could go on.

Just so he wouldn't notice this small trick of mine, the glass had to be thrown into this pit.

Two rabbits shot at once I believed, for the starter, I could see if some sort of reaction would suddenly pop if something was thrown inside of it.

Secondly, the evidence of me breaking the window would just disappear now that there wasn't anything to show that I arrived there through that way.

The curtains certainly were thick and there wasn't any mention of the fact that no one would be able to see past that clouds and fumes.

It made a sound as they fell inside.

Certainly, something happened there, as I noticed it with my own eyes.

Sunken, the pieces of glass went slowly before getting out of sight, like with everything around here.

If only there was something else I could test, this was enough. 'For now, lord Pond should be informed.

'There were a few hours before the night was about to come and I noticed that it got dark too fast for my own comfort.

Every moment here started making me uncomfortable.

And now, the wire, then I'll leave.

John could've been here with me and helped me get this if it weren't for his sudden paleness at the hand of those fumes.

Pushing my hands over the wall, I thought there'd not be any way to remove it and see where the various wires went.

A suspicion arose either way.

Why else would he keep a ladder in there?

Lord Pond must've been the one who set the wiring around the house once this place was moved.

Now, it was either a coincidence that this whole which fell managed to avoid every cable and most of his valuables or there was again foul play.

'There's no choice now, I need to confront him about it now.

'I thought about it for some time but before going one something had to be done.

After all, he hadn't paid me yet and it was long overdue.

When I managed to arrive the same way, I placed the ladder back into the tool shed, leaving no mark of it getting used.

What I saw then, in the closest of nights was the fact that his little house was lit.

Someone's home, but could it be Pond?

Past that window was a figure, but from the other side, I couldn't tell who it was.

It was just as shocked as I was, standing and facing me, from what I managed to see.

A thief, most likely just as shocked as I am.

'Get out and empty your pockets, I won't tell anyone I found you, understood?

'I declared my intentions, which I intended to do my best in keeping.

This was certainly a dangerous thing but I wanted to abide no longer to certainty.

Whatever happened in the time I was above there made no difference whatsoever.

'I won't refuse to use force if it comes to it.

'He didn't leave at either, henceforth, I was bound to take action.

Despite not having any firearm on my person, I resolved that I could at least grab something as common as a rock and try scaring him off.

This was a frightful thing, but the door was locked.

Lord Pond gave me another key, but did he lock himself from the inside? No, this must certainly be the thief.

With a twist above I managed to open the first lock, the one which could be twisted by anyone from the inside.

'I've got you now!

'I yelled, ready to come down on him with as a primordial feeling and might of a caveman.

Only but one thing, whoever laid there wasn't the one who locked himself in.

There was the second lock, the one which only worked for someone who had a key.

'Someone locked you here, didn't he?

'No answer came whatsoever despite every attempt I had at conversing with him.

Either I could wait or see for myself what was going on in here.

But curiosity did get the better out of me as I got my key and started pushing.

Whoever it was, I was about to find out.

With one click, I opened to see only the candle left on the table, in a spot which was almost hidden.

No figure came, at least not for the shadow!

Before turning, I saw how the candles' flame vanished by a gust of wind. A hard blow released me at once.

With once again, standing in front of the line. 'I need to, I need to tell Pond about him.

Someone's out there.

'Those who were staying in line suddenly turned.

It appeared like this was yet another night, different than the one I've previously been in.

Not only were there different people standing but I could swear that there were twice as many inside.

If I remember it correctly, this mansion wasn't but a simple manner anymore of their play of lights.

Now, it appeared more like a palace in its entire meaning.

After they returned their gazes and said nothing to the man who shouted, I had to take a look inside and everywhere around before getting in.

No tool shed and no pair of buildings there. I was certain of.

'I need to go.

'With proper respect, I gave up this spot in line, knowing that in this dream-like state, I wouldn't go there anymore.

For this fact to be checked didn't take as long as it appeared to take. Just one turn and I saw that there wasn't anything on the ground.

Clean, to the point of never having been tilled before.

Not only that, but the garden was also tended to, at least as it had gardeners to deal with it.

'There, I knew you'd be there.

'It was his wife who stood there alone, waiting by the gate. If this wasn't the first time, perhaps it was now.

Since I couldn't remember when was the last time we met or even if she remembered who I was, this was the introduction.

'My name is Robert Stonecall. Pleased to meet you.

'This was a dream and in reality, she was clearly dead. But that didn't stop me from kissing her head.

Despite being as antiqued as it sounded, this was the only way I could step on and try convincing her of my intentions.

''I'm Marie Wick.

You probably met my husband haven't you? ''Indeed I have ma'am.

I'd even say that I and Lord Pond have quite a fond relationship between one another.

''Do you now?

'She appeared to have been awakened from her slumber, at least now that she received some company.

As lonely as she seemed, without her spawn, I had received my answers. The tool sheds and the other small buildings which stood on the side. 'Does someone live in there?

'I asked without a sudden care.

'Well, no, why would some live in such a rustic place. That's where the servants get their tools and what not.

Gardening, cleaning, most of everything that's needed around the house.

Perhaps even the mining, though rarely someone's coming here to do that anymore.

''What do you mean by mining?

''I think that's my husband right there. Do you mind?

Wait, hide away until he leaves.

''Before I could say anything in protest, I was shoved once again the small shack from which I remembered going in.

Something was wrong and being in this dark place made me feel uncomfortable.

Seeing through the shadows and hearing them talk, but unable to grasp what they were saying.

That was my problem, at least for now. What was she doing out there then?

I waited, trying to stay as hidden as she desired.

Looking to see that there was already a bed standing there.

The same bed Lord Pond had stepped into, I assumed, ever since the incident happened.

But why all the secrecy now?

Once the loud noises stopped, I backed away from the door. I saw her again.

'Marie, what's happening?

'She had a pair of keys in her hand as well.

This feeling made me aware of where this was heading towards, despite how vibrant and lucid this dream had become.

Once she closed the keys and made sure her husband left, she began trying to force herself onto me.

Like others who were in this state, I was almost hypnotized by her movements and whispers.

Dear lord, she was having an affair all along.

But it didn't last long after hearing the screams and the terror from the distance.

It was too distracting, yet it happened nonetheless.

Marie stooped down as if she heard something she shouldn't have but I assure her that nothing was going to happen.

'Wait here, I need to find out what's going on out there. 'It was indeed true, what I thought it'd happen.

Wrong place, but it happened nonetheless and I was too late to witness what fate befell on them.

She came crying as well, seeing the mansion, crying for her spawn who was left there all alone in the arms of the nurse.

But how could this be then? Her alive, her alive, she was. 'She was alive.

'I awakened at once, standing on my bed alone.

From the pain, I felt on the back of my head and seeing how I was still dressed.

The door opened before I put on the rest.

'Had a sweet dream? ''Morning sir.

Sir, there was something, someone who broke in.

''I'm the aware lad, ever since I found you looping in a small pool of Agrippa.

Don't worry, he didn't do any damage at all.

The doctor said he only scraped you on the way to the neck, nothing more. ''So, nothing was.

''Nothing at all. Here's it, by the way.

It'd hide if well if I were you, it's not worth taking any chances with those outlaws hanging around.

'The envelope was thick enough, but what lord Pond said was. 'I'll wait for you once you're well.

I'm quite curious on what you've found out so far. Seemingly you were busy.

'As he said it, he knocked on the window.

Well, with that said, he wasn't as mad as I expected him to me.

Nonetheless, he left now and left me with my money and in a state of confusion.

Who could've been the man who tried coming there and got locked inside? That's what I had to find out sooner or later.

If he came one he might certainly return and now he had something to take with him in case he succeeded.

Out of which was unexpectable.

I took the money and looked on the floor, there had to be done, I felt it.

A place which was hallowed, certainly, I felt it now.

There was something about this hidden spot which made me not want to use it.

Just near the bed, It was something sure. I picked the slab and pushed it away.

Apparently, this was laying just under the bed, a few centimetres away. One could stand just in front of the bed and feel it quite well.

With the envelope, I made sure to put a piece of cloth I've found.

The opening wasn't that deep but I was certain that someone could find it as well as I have.

No, this was too easy to find, I thought.

'It'd be the first spot they'd look after if they knew what they were doing.

'There wasn't any other chance.

I had to carry this with me until I made a trip back home and hid it away.

That would certainly take two hours to go and come.

But at least, it was certainly safer than any other place.

Lord Pond, right, this was about to become certainly more interesting than I expected it to be.

After I was done talking to him, a small trip back to my office then a quick return.

With that, I arrived at his small shack and looked at the lock. There were no signs of forced entry that I could see.

'Someone was most definitely here Lord Pond.

''I'm aware of it, there wasn't anything that might've fallen over your head from inside.

But what do you think happened? Were any of the clotellery or.

'He shut his own mouth immediately.

This was something I wasn't aware of as of yet, but apparently, something was hidden inside.

'What was that then?

''Well, I may have been hiding something here and there but nothing too exaggerated, you know?

It makes me a lot more comfortable knowing that there's something in here that needs my protection.

''I understand sir, but the problem is that the thief might've had a key to this house.

Have you give the key to anyone else?

'From the looks of it, the dinner was ready.

Not that I would let myself get too distracted or anything. 'Well?

''I haven't given the key to anyone else but you. Does that help and may I ask why are you asking that?

''The man had locked himself inside the house before you arrived.

''So you had the assailant inside and you decided to let him go just like that?

''No, Lord Pond it didn't make sense that he would light a candle and just stand there in front of the window.

Either someone was locked or I'm not aware of something. But when I opened the door there wasn't anyone inside.

'This conundrum left the open question of who it was, despite the fact that nothing could've been done for now.

'Could it have been someone from outside then?

''You mean someone who might've managed to snick behind me and knock me at unaware?

Perhaps but this has passed already and I'm certain that you'd have to hear everything which I discovered certainly more important.

'The man nodded immediately and presented his entire attention.

Over the next hour, I started talking about everything I've found during my investigation.

That of which the mansion, the upper floor, clean cut and everything so far.

And yet someone might've been trying to get him.

'I'm certain lord Pond that in that darkness, once the light was blown off, there couldn't have been a distinction between the two of us.

'After all, we were quite the same height as one another.

And this might as well add up to the point, someone, perhaps the same person who did this to him came to finish the job.

'I understand, surely, this seems quite strange.

And are you sure that this mansion was entirely pulled from one side? ''We could both go and see.

''No, no, there's no need for that now, let's just finish it here and well.

I'm just glad you're here and accepted this, there's no one else I could've put my faith in right now.

'We shook hands as we departed now, he had known everything which needed to be known.

Within minutes after our departure, I glance upon that dark mirror. It was another man, more slim, older, driving the cab.

The plantings didn't entirely seem too different, to begin with. Nonetheless.

'To the station, I have a small trip to take.

'After he nodded, I knew I was on the right track, ready to get where I needed to be.

At least from the looks of it.

Just a few blocks away and my heart was pumping, my sweat ran down through my forehead.

Every glance made me realise how sick I was becoming with each moment I stood away from that place.

'Stop the cab, I need to go back there.

'With a sudden stop, we were almost driven to a road accident.

It appeared that I had his entire attention now that I changed my mind. There wasn't any other way it could go.

'I need to go back right now.

'He went ahead and turned around.

Despite how mad this appeared to seem, no matter how hard I tried to get away I couldn't.

Something pulled me back despite the fact that there wasn't any resistance to be had.

The way ahead and the return had to be paid for, as I was aware.

And there was definitely the issue of having to hear rumours from now on.

Since I became aware that these cab drivers were the fastest way the unfounded rumours spread, I didn't bother to resist.

Something which I realised was the fact that I couldn't leave any longer. The reason why this happened to me had to resign in there.

Whatever would come of it, at least there was an answer to be given. I had to know what made me feel so ill when I tried getting away.

Before long, I was on my way once again towards the point where I left off.

The ladder was still in its place including every tool in the shed.

Now, the only current problem remained where could I possibly hide this stack?

Just for the time being, I went inside and grabbed the cloth and placed the money inside.

All of it, buried behind the house without any doubt or question asked about what happened to it.

There wasn't anyone who knew, but now.

Once this problem went away, I'd return to my house and put it in the safe.

Something had to go a different way today, I was certain. Again, the ladder was placed, but this time on the other side. I just had to see the living room and the small tower.

From the looks of it, I managed to glance at it as it twisted away and stood alone in the back.

Despite being the highlight of this building, something had to be affected inside of it.

First the window, but I wasn't aware that someone had opened this one.

Only the curtain stood as a guardian, which was pushed away at the tip of my mere fingers.

Now, as I stood there, I could finally see past the veil and the fumes. There wasn't any reason to explain why I came so unprepared now.

Without the proper mask, I resorted to covering my face with a piece of my shirt.

Someone stood there waiting at the gate, gazing and trying to see what I was doing.

Has lord Pond hired someone to see my work in motion? No, I stand the same way he stood the previous night.

Frozen in the veil, I doubted he could see me especially that far away. But it was a figure nonetheless, that was certain.

'Who is it?

'I shouted, doubtlessly looking as if I wasn't heard the first time. Of course, the second time wasn't even a question at all.

How could this have happened then?

For this one moment, I felt bizarrely estranged in my walking path and lost my composure.

Perhaps this was the result of the fumes taking full effect over my body. It was too late for me to realise that I've made a mistake.

My body fell and barely managed to grasp the edge of the wooden piece, the perfectly cut ribbon of the mansion.

Awe soon became dread once I realised that I couldn't control my body any longer and fell.

The pain would've come as expected when I felt myself reach that hard substance.

'Help me, somebody help me!

'The shout fell on dead ears once I realised it was too late for me to be saved.

This pit was swallowing me, raising and pulling me inside.

At last, before my strength waned, the fumes were too close and my consciousness was partially gone.

Almost awake, my body had no control over it, but my mind was there alive.

I felt something inside of me trying to warn me about it but I failed to listen now.

Where could this be going?

Somehow air was kept inside, this sea or well or whatever it had become.

But now that I was fully aware I had come to the realisation that I was swallowed by the pit that fell from the sky.

Without a way to return, I waited.

It must've been hours long that I was aware of things behind my eye, swimming with me and extension these small frail movements that my body began doing.

They whispered but I couldn't hear, I wasn't there. But I became aware.

At least now, in this dire moment, that when my mind would give in, I'd never come to be awake ever again.

With my fate sealed I used what strength I had to breathe as much as I could.

That's when the fall finally gave in.

Left as if I was dropped slowly by a piece of resin, I stood there. Pieces of glass pierced my back but only leaving flesh wounds.

But when I was aware of the fact that I felt pain and I could move again, I turned on my belly and looked where I stood.

Above of me was the floating pool inside the pit, and below was a fashioned floor.

Most of everything here had already been broken by the fall, so it made sense in a bizarre way that the pieces of glass would've made it through.

But the other side was too much of an extension of reality to make any sense at all.

I looked forward and saw the starry sky.

It was night, but from the looks of that town which laid so far away and lit with their marvellous bright cold lights, I shivered.

The cold was there and from the looks of it, there wasn't a way back for now.

It was impossible for this to be that cold unless I laid in the outdoors near the north.

But this came to me as a surprise. 'Snow, look at it!

'My voice almost cracked at this vision of Agrippa and pure. It almost came as a shock since I was stuck here.

With the piercing pieces of glass off, there wasn't anything but the desire to explore this.

Which meant that there was a good reason why I was here, alive.

After all, that dark feeling pulled me in for a good reason, and that was most likely to come and find.

.

.

It wasn't far off that I came to find myself once against at a loss.

There wasn't any shout but as I looked above after a few steps, from the stony hills I saw the boulder come.

Too late for me to do anything at all, until now.

No one heard the scream in this distant area hidden in the woods, nor could they have seen what happened.

But a rock fell on the man crushing his head and spine.

And there came another one, smaller which covered the lower bottom of it, right a few steps away.

Not even the echo which remained for a while there didn't do much to help him at all.

The moment his Agrippa froze was when fate finally abandoned him. No one would come to rescue him.

There in the distance, his hand got stuck pointing, towards the town.

Not so far from where he died laid a road which was more paved towards his destination.

Despite being set on a long road, caravans still found their way to it.

It was here that his vision went out of sight, caught forever looking there.

Her daughter laid on the bed sleeping.

It's been a while since she became used to this new place. But now, her mother had to do it just as well.

Looking around through the empty barless gate which would've been a window in her time, she saw them walk and act.

'Strangers, that's all.

'Now, if it were that she lived still in her mansion, things would've certainly been a lot more different than she expected.

Originally she wanted to explore but this place appeared to be just another world.

And the way behind was lost for so long that she always thought that one day she might return.

'You little man carrying a platter of candles. Why would you do that on a night such as this?

'This was a common thing, apparently to lead on and pass the light from one another.

Quite strangely, they knew of the existence of electric power but refused to use it.

This sky didn't even appear to be as real as it seemed.

Something about it made it appear too much like it was placed there rather than being natural.

'Sleep well Sophie.

We will find a better place for you and me to live inside.

'There was a certainty now that wasn't as lacking as she thought it was going to be.

It doesn't matter what they were though, as long as they allowed both me and my daughter to stay.

As long as she worked for them, cleaning around and doing chores, they were both safe.

Worst of all was having to hear what was going on in the town at night.

Once the lights went out, to the point of true darkness, there had come those terrible noises.

Gurgling and spitting, and the screams of murder ran. Was it night already?

She didn't seem to see any light anymore or anything as a matter of fact which would've helped her see.

No one dared look but there were figures dancing in the darkness. 'Shh, go back to sleep Sophie.

'Marie was quite afraid now, looking through the veil. If it were a man, he was dangerously tall and strong.

Perhaps a being that was neither human nor animal and something else. This was the uncertainty of the place.

Having to cover her ears and go to sleep.

Each night and every day, another dead man found at the bottom of the stairs.

Ripped apart and having parts of him clean and devoured. Even the Agrippa might've been sacked and abandoned.

This horror which was present appeared to have left everyone frozen in their homes, at least until someone came and cleaned it off and set it to the morgue.

A desperate job but paid it well. 'Another one?

''Indeed old grannie, they just keep piling up and piling up. At this rate, we won't have any men to defend the town anymore.

'The wooden towers and the hall, the houses, the doors and the stalls. Nothing was strong enough to guard them against it, whatever it was.

Those who tried to come against it managed to fall and be thrown. Crushed, to this point, they weren't as lucky to even get a glimpse. And that's how it appeared that this beast wouldn't be caught.

'Shame that this happens, isn't it?

'It was just the old man who managed the store.

Ever since I became accustomed to everyone and since I needed friends, it wasn't as hard to become friendly to everyone.

'Will it ever stop?

This has gone for way too long to be just only one murderer.

''Oh, but it's been going quite longer than you've come here to our abode.

You see, I'd wager that at this point, he's got under his belt at least a dozen dead and twice more since you came here.

'He wasn't as keen to point the blame on me, but I couldn't complain any longer.

Despite being an outsider, I and my daughter had nowhere to go. 'A mere coincidence, nothing more than that.

'His stinkin' eyebrows appeared to have been levelled off. But how could I be blamed for something I've not done?

'It will clear off, I'm sure of it.

''Sure it will ma'am, just be careful on the streets, we won't have you get accidentally locked outside into one of the nights.

'This threat was nothing of an accident nor as subtle as he thought it'd be.

'I understand.

'That grim face stood out to her, especially since she thought that someone out there was just the one who did commit these atrocious crimes.

Alas, don't worry, so she thought. Won't happen to me, I'm sure of that.

Just the same day repeat as it's been for now, back with the groceries, then to work.

Those dark glances towards me never seemed to pale in comparison with my conundrum.

Past that I felt that I was accepted, past the point where I felt nothing but to wait.

'What is that girl doing?

'Jumping continuously from bed to bed, the walls wouldn't sustain much of her, until that knock.

That's when she stopped, once the face of her mother suddenly popped in to look at her.

'Isn't in the time to go to your classes? ''It's in an hour.

''Well, you're going earlier, now!

'She exclaims with sadness and shivering rage.

Despite what the spawn had seen, there wasn't any chance but for her to move on.

They couldn't risk being thrown out with a murderer on the streets.

And this attention started digging their own graves, at least if it continued at this rate.

'You'd better teach that girl more sense if you want to stay.

''Thank you, but I don't believe I asked for your opinion whatsoever.

'Edna nodded at it, that old crone, standing and weaving her basket as if there was something wrong with me.

It was pointed right at me, in the form of a cage.

Just what was this encephalic-abrogate trying to imply with this simple act?

'Do you need something to be staring at me?

''Nothing at all, it's that, I saw your daughter leave earlier than she should've gone.

''And?

''Well, it just happens that my daughter goes to the same place as she goes, nothing more.

''But there's no other place than the one this teacher has made and my daughter need to learn something.

Where are you exactly going with this?

'There was a bitter expression on the old crone's face mostly but she refused to answer immediately.

It was almost as if she already implied.

Damn this encephalic-abrogate, does she want both of us gone already or even worse?

Locked outside, with a murderer.

It was already pitiful that I was forced to clean the floors and their rooms for a lady of my stature.

But this was damnably hellish of them, to mock me and try to end my own life.

'Damn this, damn this!

'Said Marie Wick in her corner, alone and far away from any looking eye that would try to glance at her.

Fear ran her sweat like a maddening gland which tried to bury itself deeper inside her skin.

Despite them being harsh for both of them, Sophie would have to grow it this and live with it for the rest of her life.

'I need to see her safe now, do you understand me?

I need to know that she's safe and she won't be thrown outside if something happens to me.

'From the attire, the man was a soldier, standing at the entrance of the building.

He most likely came from far away, probably over the news as well.

Sooner or later, someone had to come to deal with this unnecessary murder.

And this was to be the one.

'What's your daughter's name ma'am?

''Her name is Sophie Wick, black hair, kind of tall for her age, eleven years old.

I don't know.

'Before she said anything, she made sure she'd look around trying to see if anyone would try to glance or do anything suspicious.

There were four in the foyer, and this was considered to be an unnecessary break from her necessities.

'No one here trusts us and some would rather see us off than anything else.

That's why I'm afraid, for me and my daughter. ''I'll make sure of it, don't worry.

That's why we were called here, to begin with, the lady, nothing going to happen to either you or your daughter.

'And he was certainly wrong, some twenty feet behind him there were a few caravans sets and some tents just around the corner.

Four, no, five soldiers accompanied him, more would soon come. And this was to be the end that I assumed.

Before long, if I was ever going to be done with today's work, I'd finally get to see my daughter.

'And today we will learn about the common plan of Botocornolia and its properties, class.

'Said the teacher.

This was quite interesting.

Despite the fact that no one in the class appeared to have much attention set towards the specimen on the table, no one glanced at what was happening outside.

It was a jar of dirt, from which a long plant appeared to have grown to the point of having its bulbs coming out and spreading from each side.

Green, no, violet, or something in-between, which for some reason didn't even get to the point of growth.

The neck of the plant was heading towards a doubleheader which was pointed towards the bottom.

And for some reason this plant was important. 'What's it good for?

'Asked Sophie, as a matter of fact, being the only spawn in there whoever asked questions.

If it was considered rude or not, this was certainly a strange behaviour. Accepted nonetheless by him.

'Well, that's a good question, Sophie.

It's mostly used in curing the common cold and light wounds. 'He went on ahead to demonstrate exactly how it worked.

So far little of it made sense, but the rules were set for this world and no theirs.

That's what she had to learn.

The man leaned on the table and started squeezing one of the sacks at the end of the plants.

More precisely, those bulbs she thought to be hard wasn't as they appeared to be, making a sound noise when they were squeezed.

Something about it, as the substance started dripping on his fingers made little Sophie shiver at the sight.

In truth, she was the youngest spawn to attend his classes, at a difference of at least two or four years.

Compared to her mother, this was just as harsh as being labelled an outsider.

Nonetheless, to prove how this work, the man did something rash.

He made a small incision around his finger just as he prepared his almost surgical-like knife.

Agrippa started pumping out for as long as they could see him do it.

Just as the solution came out of those pores he finally pushed his finger in and asked us to see.

It was magnificent, to say the least.

In mere moments, that cut around his finger was there no more.

Suddenly, everything from which Agrippa came got sealed and healed in an almost illogical way.

'How's this possible?

'Many of the spawns reacted as if they have never seen it work in action.

Once again, truthfully said, it wasn't used to treat bruises or other cuts and hits the spawns were used to be getting, henceforth, none of them has seen it work.

At least most in the class were ignorant of the effect it had and how it worked.

Sophie felt that finally that she could relate to the others, knowing that neither of them knew why this phenomenon even happened at all.

It was at least a mystery to think about it.

So far, it hasn't happened for it to go through her head at any moment at all.

Just as the weather outside appeared to be getting worse, Sophie feared for what might happen to her