Cathablanca

Episode #13: "Locked Inside The Winchester Mystery House"


Fifteen minutes after failing to open the front door or break any of the windows, the 40 guests began breaking into smaller groups. Dirk announced that he was going to explore the house for other exits, and that if anyone wanted to come along, they were welcome. Jo, Wally and Sneena agreed to go with him, and they left the group, carrying old-fashioned oil lamps to light their way, since the electric lights in the house were dim and provided very little light.
Steve and Taylor finally convinced their dates to go exploring the house with them, and also left the main group.
Other groups formed, including O'Brien, Amelia, and Robin, and went exploring on their own soon after, but most people stayed in the entry hall to the house, hoping that soon someone would come and rescue them.
Francesca, Erich, Cathie and Antonio returned to the seance room and sat down around the table.
"You know, this is kind of exciting!" exclaimed Francesca.
"I don't like it. This isn't what was supposed to happen, and I have a bad feeling about all of this," replied Erich. "I still don't trust O'Brien."
"Oh, come on, Erich! Give the poor guy a break! He's done everything but kiss my feet to convince me he's sorry! Do you think he would do all that if he didn't mean it?" said Francesca.
"I have to agree with Erich, Fran," replied Cathie. "I think he just might be up to something. Best to be on your guard."
Antonio was quiet as usual. Cathie looked at him and took his hand.
"What are you thinking about, my darling?" asked Cathie with a kind smile.
"I am thinking that something is wrong. I am thinking that if we don't find a way out of here soon, someone could get killed," answered Antonio in his Spanish accent. He put his hands over Cathie's. He had a worried look on his face as he looked into her eyes.
Antonio was not especially bright, but Cathie knew he possessed good instincts. She believed him.
Despite the warnings from the others, Francesca felt confident and amused with their current predicament. It was this bold confidence that had served her all her life and helped her become the second richest woman in the world.
As they continued talking, they didn't notice that the eyes in one of the portraits on the wall were removed, and in their place a pair of human eyes were watching them.
In the entry hall, guests were asking the Count if he believed they were actually in danger.
"Do you think someone will be murdered tonight, Count?" asked Eva, the teenaged daughter of Dirk.
Count Floyd, in contrast to some of the other guests who displayed an attitude of indifference to their plight, was deeply troubled. As he spoke, the few who were smiling and joking among themselves suddenly lost their lightheartedness, for they knew he was deadly serious by the tone of his voice.
"I don't think someone will be murdered in this house tonight. I know it." He paused and looked into the eyes of each person who was looking at him as he spoke. "Do you understand? There is nothing to be happy about now. So wipe those grins off of your faces!" With that rebuke, all smiles disappeared. He pointed to the door. "Before that door opens, it will be dawn, and at least one person inside this house will be dead. I fear, though, that there may be more than one ... I suggest that if you want to leave this place alive, you don't go wandering about the ..."
He cut his sentence short as they all heard, coming from another room in the house far away, a bloodcurdling scream.
"It has happened!" shouted the Count, as pandemonium ensued.
Don't miss the next exciting episode!