Reaper's Word

Clair lay curled up in the venting of the building. Well some of it was really the chutes that led all over the house. She'd found a large flat area in one space and had chosen that to pretty much call home. She guessed that this was more of a heating system for the house but the heat wasn't on. Besides who knew? The house was a maze and full of bizarre things. This felt safe and where she was going to stay. She wasn't going to share it with no one.

She was staring at the metal wall in front of her. A dim light came up from somewhere below. She heard a woman scream and didn't even move or flinch. Five days had passed. Five miserable and terrifying days. Time was starting to become irrelevant now. Now it was just surviving and staying hidden.

She had a small stash of food here and a few blankets to lay on. She was slowly learning where the different chutes went to. It was hard to climb them at first. Her muscles sore and hurting, but it was here or out there somewhere. At least here she could fall into a kind of sleep. The hell hounds couldn't get into the vents, and she kept to areas that were to small for Isaiah to possibly get in. Though she had a hard time believing that he would follow into the vents. Who knew?

She'd seen a person torn apart in front of her they other day. Very nearly died herself. It was the small voice in her head that spoke to her. It said, ‘Run Clair, run or die here.’

She didn't want to die here. When she was forced to leave her safe haven, she would look out the windows at the deceptive peace out there. Foolishly hoping for a savior to show, but nothing was out there but wilderness. She was sure the place was shrouded in magic to keep it hidden. Who knew the world held such things?

It had taken two days before she'd managed to fall asleep too. She didn't know who was left or how many, and she couldn't really find it to care. She'd come across Laura once in the kitchen and slapped her across the face before leaving.

She hadn't come across Isaiah again since that first night being here and she was doing her best to not come across him. She moved around during the day as Gregori had said. It was true, the hell hounds weren't ever out then, rarely if they did show.

Clair was confused as to how they could just bring people here and not have been found out. They must be very good at doing this. She'd spoken to Gregori one more time before he'd been killed yesterday. He'd said that he and a few of his friends had come up here to party. They'd been promised a good time and plenty to drink along with women.

When they got here there were others as well. They weren't allowed in until they signed. It was claimed to be a safeguard for all involved. If one was going down, then they all were. Two had refused and stayed back. He said that once they were inside they heard gunshots and all hell had broken out for them shortly after.

She came back to reality as she heard running somewhere below, and then a low growl. She just stayed where she was and closed her eyes. Silent tears came down, she didn't want to make a sound or draw attention to where she was. She fell asleep like that. Her body tense and tears running down her face.

stayed right where she was, for the rest of the day. Moving every now and then when she felt cramped, and leaving only twice because she had to use the bathroom. Which was terrifying

not, but her food supply was low. She needed to use the bathroom again. She set down her drawing tools. She grabbed them the other day when looking for food. Her bag randomly sat in the kitchen like it was waiting for her. The only thing that took her from this place. Whatever, that was the least terrifying thing to

and to keep her sanity. She thought that she should look for a way out, but the thought of what would happen just stopped her. Her bravado from the first night was very nearly gone. She had just enough light in here

She half crawled along this until she came to where she wanted. The bathroom

degrees and the opening was just big enough for her to fit through. She'd searched the bathroom the first time

rack. In the cabinet below the sink were

However Clair looked at the shower and she did long for one. Just to feel human and alive. Sitting on a shelf inside the ornate

in the hall. All was silent. She didn't know how such an old house had plumbing or these basic needs. Who was there to even ask, what did it matter? However she was feeling a bit more alive today. Some strength

what was in there. She found a pair of cotton pants. A bit big but they would do for now. Her clothes were grimy, her hair greasy and she figured that having a cleaner scent would blend her more into the house. She figured that was a better bet to go undetected. She didn't want to smell like sweat

battling with if this was smart or not. If she was about to become that horror

a way. It was always spotless, even the rooms that had damage done to them. You could leave and come back an hour later and everything would be back

memories away and opened another drawer. She grabbed the yellow shirt there. It was button up but that was okay and it looked like it belonged to a man. One that was just

around her. She practiced constantly to get stronger. Now she could feel large areas around her, move larger objects with her mind. She felt this was going to keep her alive. She did make sure she kept her signature

and underwear down the chute. They could go. She kept her bra though, and set it with the other clothes. No longer than a few minutes she was going to do

shampoo bottle and opened it. She squished a good amount in her hand and then rubbed it in her hair. It was dry but that was okay. She didn't want to draw attention. She wasn't going to turn the water on until she was ready and even then she

a lather on the soap. She did this a few times and then moved

on the shower and gasped at the very cold spray but scrubbed harshly and quickly. Rinsing her hair and her body. Moving with quick hands and keeping her mind open she felt, but nothing came to her. She looked like a crazy person scrubbing