Orpheus - Haunting the Dead.pdf - Dice

HAUNTING THE DEAD
RICK CHILLOT
icy depths. It sweeps across her face, stinging it with a
thousand tiny needles. She cries out, throwing her
hands to her face. When it’s over she stands slowly,
moaning softly, not understanding at first what has
been done to her.
Blue Palace Hotel, Fifth Floor, East Hallway
September 20, 11:23 p.m.
“We need to get off this floor,” Green says. “Those
things are starting to stir again. I’m not convinced they
won’t step across that rope.”
“Wait,” Ed says. “This is important. This woman
Victoria, she’s the one who put me here in the first
place. She was ordering those smilers around like
subjects.”
“She’s their queen, then” Goodman mutters. “My
boy, she’s the key. Somehow…” He grins, patting the
handle of the ax he carries. “Oh. So soon. I must say it
feels good to be walking these halls one last time. In any
case, you’re on the right track, Eddie. Make sure to
follow through. I’m sorry I won’t get to see how it all
ends up.”
Ed looks to Goodman in confusion. “Why are you
talking like you’re going somewhere?” he asks. “You’re
the one who wanted me to get involved in all this—“
“I’d stay if I could, buddy boy. But I can’t.” He shifts
uneasily on his feet. “I could feel it the minute I left my
room. You can’t put off the inevitable, not forever.” He
lets the ax drop to the floor. “It’s funny, I thought I’d be
more afraid.”
“What—“ Before Ed can ask his question, there’s a
metallic clang. The floor below Goodman’s feet begins
to glow red-hot. A dark, snake-like shape springs from
the floor and wraps around Goodman’s leg. It’s a chain.
Another spirals upwards, entwining Goodman to the
waist. A third and fourth snap through the air and
tighten around his arms and torso.
( 272 )
6