Collab by @Fox of Hearts and @Fox of Spades
Charlotte was the epitome of calm despite the emotional pour filling the room. She absorbed every angry word without even blinking.
Poor children, she thought. Their words indicated the extent the news was affecting thing. The grief and denial were very real. She remembered feeling the same way when she realised she was trapped for eternity. Separation from the God she loved and placed in this perverse hell. The creature in-charge had to be one of Lucifer's followers.
Why else would it keep them here to suffer so?
Surrendering the bat to Marten, the sister walked over to Jace and indicated she wished to pack the ponies into the backpack he was carrying. Her movement was relaxed and gentle as if she refused to let the tension to get to her.
"You must think badly of us," she acknowledged.
"Deception wasn't our intention but if we didn't lure you in, He would have gone hunting." She finished zipping up the bag then stepped away.
"When He brings people home, we can't ever help them. That's why the children volunteered to find people lost in the woods. We wanted what was best for you."
Wendy jolted upright when London's fist came into contact with the wall. The girl was angry - rightfully so - and Wendy decided to just stand there and take the blame. London was right, she and everyone else had participated in His games in hopes of one day leaving. They'd participated even though they knew others would end up paying the price. Perhaps they were all monsters... it was a thought that left her feeling twice as guilty.
"Young miss, please don't hurt yourself." She paused.
"It won't do you any good."
Thankfully, Jace was quick to react to his friend's injury. Wendy turned to Ethan with sad eyes and an even sadder frown.
"Unfortunately, you're right. None of us really have a choice here. You're friend is correct, your best bet will be to find the young miss as soon as possible." She didn't like shoving them into a corner but it was all they had at this point. The kind grunette jumped into the conversation and Wendy's eyes went wide. Their items. There was no mistaking what Marten had said. So... she and Charlotte would finally be able to escape this hell? She turned to Marten, thankful for the show of kindness they didn't quite deserve.
"Thank you, but I won't leave until the young miss herself is free. For now, I'd like to offer you my aid."
Wendy nodded toward the bag Jace had toted into the room.
"The flashlights are over there." Charlotte took out a pair and passed one to Wendy.
The nun thanked her friend as she accepted the flashlight. She turned back to the group.
"Please let our actions speak for themselves," she spoke softly, clasping her hands below her waist in a prayerful manner.
"As the second maid, I've been tasked by the young master to be your guide while Ms. Kitty aids Madam. Wendy's task is to help you free Miss Ella as she is the nanny. We all have our parts to play if we want this to work."
"Charlotte." Wendy gave her fellow maid a nudge.
"We should head out now."
"Not the attic?" Charlotte asked.
"I checked," Wendy replied with a grimace.
"It was overrun with dolls. I haven't checked the master bedroom yet. She doesn't go there often."
"Something tells me she'll be there." Wendy wore a grim expression on her face, children often sought the comfort of their parents when things went wrong after all.
As the humans prepared to leave, Joseff stared up at Marten with wide, adoring eyes. It were as if he were making a promise to keep Kelsey and Kindle safe, to guard them with his life and make everyone proud. "Borf borf!" He called out before promptly padding toward the open dresser. He sat down right in front of it and held his head high.
He would sit here and wait for his friends to return.
He would sit here and keep his promise - as long as he sat breathing, Kelsey and Kindle would be safe!
Castor snorted as he passed Joseff. He didn't feel it worth his time to acknowledge the fluffball despite the show of heroics. He doubted Jo would last five minutes before the mutt would run after them. Dismissing all thoughts about fat cheeks, he trotted after Wendy. "Bark! Bark, bark!" he commanded. Stop wasting time he seemed to be implying as he glared at the stragglers. He knew the dolls were lurking nearby as he could hear soft footsteps from the floor above. "Bark!"
Charlotte tapped him gently on the back of the head.
"Shhh Castor," she reprimanded.
"He is listening. The dolls will know where we are if you keep barking."
Unknown to the group leaving the room, a familiar small pumpkin sat in the darkened corner at the far end of the corridor. He covered his mouth as he giggled.
This would be so good! He knew where they were headed. He waited until the group disappeared up the stairs before he disappeared with a puff of smoke.
Marbles were scattered on the floor in front of the master bedroom door. There was also a blackened line an inch from the door. Charlotte frowned. She suspected what the powder was but if she was right then they were too late!
"Salt," she explained.
"Something unholy is close by hence it turned black." The sister exchanged looks with Wendy.
Should they lead the children into the room? There was no telling what was waiting for them inside.
"Wendy?" she whispered.
Castor didn't bother waiting for the maids to confer. He stepped onto the remains of the salt barrier and pushed his snout against the door crack. Catching a familiar scent, he withdrew quickly and barked frantically. Before anyone could react, he started ramming against the door.
"Get the door!" Charlotte called to Wendy. She had already started trying to subdue Castor. They didn't need to alert whatever it was that lurked inside the room.
"Castor!" she hissed.
"Don't!"
Wendy's eyes went wide.
Were they too late? Without taking time to think, her body responded to Charlotte's command and she closed the distance between herself and the door.
"Careful," she whispered to the group as her hand clasped around the cold door handle. With a swift yet careful motion, she pushed open the door and revealed what awaited them inside.
It was too dark to see clearly, but Wendy had spent God knows how long cleaning and tidying every nook and cranny of Henbard Chateau. Filled with confidence, she plunged into the darkness of the master bedroom and swiftly made her way toward the light switch by the door. She stepped on some marbles, and before she could flick the lights on, she crashed face first into the floor.
Wendy's scream startled Charlotte so much that she let go of Castor. The dog dashed into the room and met with the same fate as Charlotte. A sharp whine was followed by snapping and growling. Charlotte bit her lip as she mustered the courage to go check.
Staggering to her feet, the shaken maid took a step into the room. She could see Wendy's flashlight lying on the floor a few feet away. Biting her lower lip, she shone her light further ahead. It fell on Wendy's shoe! Charlotte swallowed hard. Moving the light even further ahead revealed Wendy lying on ground. Adelaide's teddy bears were bouncing on Wendy's stomach.
Her friend was unable to scream because ball of rolled up socks had been stuffed into her mouth! Charlotte mouthed something that sounded like "God have mercy" before she stepped forward. She was torn between rushing to Wendy's side and retreating. She didn't know what to do. Madam collected so many Care Bears, trolls and vintage teddy bears that this place was a minefield! No wonder Miss Ella wouldn't come here unless she had no other option.
She braced herself and took one step forward. She was in a process of taking another step when a shrill laughter filled the room. Charlotte yelped loudly, dropping her flashlight. From where she stood, she could see big yellow eyes staring back at her from the middle of the bed.
The eyes blinked slowly. Then, the laughter was replaced with a high pitched chirping sound. A metallic voice spoke up after that. "Toh-loh!" it taunted. "Toh-loh! A-doo?"