The Kraken's Spire Literary Magazine (Volume 1)

this room from the next closed itself as if someone had pushed it shut with
brute force. A locking sound echoed off the walls. The room was silent once
more.
Riley turned her attention to the desk on the far-left side of the room where
sat what appeared at first glance to be a mannequin. Upon further inspection,
Riley noticed that it was, in fact, a human being, insofar as what passed for a
human being in whatever place she found herself in. The mannequin-looking
man played with his evenly cut flop of bangs as they jutted up and down his
forehead, as he rocked back and forth in his office chair with violent resolve.
Above where he was seated was a sign that read ‘Reception-visitors welcome.’
Well, that should solve some of my problems, Riley thought. At least she hoped
this man who seemed to be having convulsions of death had some kind of answers
for her.
Riley stood and made her way to the desk, carefully tip-toeing her way
around all kinds of legs—male, female, reptile, ghostly, plant. The plant legs
were the worst, as each time she made to step over a pair, a tentacle like excuse
for a hand reached up to greet her shoulder. Riley quickened her pace and
dodged where necessary, making sure to keep her feet close together. As she
sidled up to the desk, a devilish grin creeped its way across the mannequin
man’s face, becoming a solid fixture that gave one night terrors.
“Hello,” Riley said. “I was hoping you could tell me where exactly it is that
I am.”
Her voice betrayed her anxiety. Anxiety never was one to work with you and
help in times of need.
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