by Endesu » Tue Jun 22, 2004 5:50 pm
The old woman looked coldly at the house for a few moments in utter silence, almost seeming oblivious of their presence in lieu of the mansion just ahead. As she kept this frozen look on her face, the storm clouds overhead began to pick up, a burst of thunder cracking in the distance, beyond the trees.
The awkward silence was broken by Mistress Childs again as she addressed Sam and Lisa, seemingly looking over the two other children, and gave a smile that, while bearing the typical warmth as before, had an odd hint of coldness to it.
"Just follow me, dears, we'll be entering soon."
She made her way to the front of the house, a well-carved flight of stairs leading to a single pair of engraved wooden gates, both majestic in their simplicity. All she needed was a single tap for the gate to open at her behest, and she led the four inward.
The house inside seemed partially dark; much of the (now darkening) light in this entrance area seemed to come from the windows, yet there was enough to see the area: it was a simple 'hub' area of sorts.
She closed the door, sealing them in..
Just overhead there was a balcony, leading off from a flight of stairs near the edge of the room. It was impossible to tell just what was up there at this point, though. A table and a few chairs were here, as was a chandelier just overhead, and another door, apparently to some of the rest of the house, just beyond this table. The chandelier gave off light dimmer then that which came through the windows, yet it betrayed the various paintings that decorated the room. Each was brimming in authentic detail and style, making it impossible to tell whether they were fake or not.
As she led them inward further, a policeman, dressed in uniform, approached her from seemingly out of nowhere. "Excuse me, Mrs. Childs? Will you be assisting me in my investigations now?"
"Oh.." The woman's face turned slightly bitter once more. "Of course. Children, if you would be seated.." She indicated the chairs and table just by the door. "I must help this gentleman with his silly case. Never stopping to bother an old woman."
"Now, Miss Childs, I'm sorry about this, but we have been assigned a warrant to search the house.."
"That's quite all right, Lieutenant, I understand. Let us go find Mister Childs, and he can help us." She indicated the door, and he went to it, opening the door, and entering.
Mistress Childs, without a word, followed, and closed the door behind her, leaving the four children completely alone.