Chapter 9

“I really do hope Alex is doing an alright job of watching Ethan.” Oliva says, a worried expression crosses her face as she pats her mouth with a napkin. “If he gets out, he could have all of us dead.” She glances over at Erin, who was staring at the painted ceiling, splattered with dull colors. Grey, white, navy, black. They were in the central dining area, at the heart of the mansion. The walls were lined with paintings, some portraits, some of animals, similar to those in the living quarters.

Erin looks back at her, matching her worried face. Ethan opens his mouth to bite. Emma shoves her hand in front of his mouth, silencing him. Blood rushes down between her claws and along her arm, staining her pristine blue nightgown. “You mustn’t make a sound to signal Alexander. I heard his entire plan. I have to warn the others.” Emma says, keeping her hand plastered against his mouth.

Ethan mumbles something, relaxing from the sudden spook. Emma takes her bloody hand away, shaking the crimson liquid off.

Ethan coughs, spitting up her blood. “Sorry, force of habit. Self defence, y’know?” He manages to say in between violent coughs.

“Are you alright?” she asks, rushing by his side.

“Yeah, the blood just went down the wrong pipe is all.” He answers, clearing his throat.

“Are you sure you don’t have asthma? If not treated properly it can be fatal.” She says, ears twitching.

“Yes I’m sure I do not have asthma.” Ethan coughs, splattering blood on the dark blue carpet.

“I need to get you cleaned up before those two come back.” She says as she frantically rushes around the room looking for towels.

“I’m fine, really. But thanks. So um, why were you waiting in the dark corner behind me?” He asks, his voice a bit hoarse from his coughing fit.

Emma rummages through the closet, with no luck.

“Because, I came to warn you.”

Erin and Olivia walk through the deserted hall, jumping at every little sound.

“ I wonder why all the halls are the same. It’s like a direct copy. It’s creeping me out to be honest.” Erin says, glancing from side to side.

Alexander calmly saunters up to the pair, holding his plate and utensils. He glances at them as he passes, the obvious look of judgment gleaming in his eye.

He disappears into the inky black shadow behind them

“That was strange, wasn’t it, Erin?” Oliva says with a nervous laugh, turning towards Erin.

Emma scrubs the carpet violently, making an attempt at cleaning the blood off. “It isn’t gonna work. We’ll have to deep clean it when we have time.” says Ethan.

Before Emma had time to react, the door swings open with a creek, and Erin peeks in.