Orpheus - Haunting the Dead.pdf - Dice

HAUNTING THE DEAD
RICK CHILLOT
In any case, there is a way out. There are tunnels—
steam tunnels, utility shafts—down in the basement.
They lead away from the hotel and up to street level.”
Ed stares out the lobby doors, then looks back at
Victoria. “Are you serious?” he says slowly. “Tunnels?
Are you sure?”
“Dead serious, pun intended. I haven’t yet tried
them because there are so many of those ghastly stitchfaced
people down there. But between the two of us, I
think we can get past them. You’re the first one I’ve met
who seems to have the wherewithal to do it.”
Ed stares at her, processes this for a moment. Then
he says, “Orpheus. Have you heard of Orpheus? Have
you heard anyone mention Orpheus?”
“I’m sure I haven’t, darling.” She crosses her arms
and taps one foot slowly. “Well,” she asks, “Shall we
go?” They go.
Blue Palace Hotel, Basement
September 20, 3:47 p.m.
“No sign yet of those appalling creatures,” Victoria
whispers, looking over her shoulder to see Ed following.
“Let’s hope our luck holds out.”
“Sure,” Ed hisses back. “And what exactly are we
supposed to do if we do find one?” The thought of
encountering a smiler in the cramped passageway makes
him dizzy.
“Just follow my lead, darling,” Victoria answers.
“Now hush. We’re getting close.”
The narrow corridor ends and they’re in a wider
hallway. Ed steps up next to Victoria. “Listen,” Ed says
softly. “If we can somehow just make contact with the
outside world, I can get some help and… what the
hell?”
Ed’s hand brushes one of the walls, and the cold
nearly burns his skin. He jerks his hand away and sees
that it’s trailing some sort of gummy adhesive. He
touches a fingertip lightly to the wall, and pulls back.
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