Reese and Sparrow stared at Lance with long faces.
Their Master had ordered them to tie the unconscious man to a chair and gag him.
Both people transformed into their human likenesses.
"Reese, don�t you feel at least a little sorry for Lance?"
"No."
"How can you not?"
"The same way you can�t. I know I should feel some kind of pity for him, yet I can�t take hold of that emotion."
"Me neither."
Lance groaned and lifted his head. His clothes were still soaked and his shoulder looked pretty injured.
Lance tried to speak, then noticed his mouth had been stuffed with a cloth and sealed with duct tape.
"Mmmmmm!"
Reese and Sparrow could only blankly stare at him. They saw confusion and terror in his eyes.
Sparrow folded her arms. "You are in the master�s house."
Reese tightened the rough ropes that secured Lance�s arms, wrists, calves, ankles, and torso to the chair.
Lance winced in discomfort.
From behind Lance, the entity descended the staircase.
Sparrow and Reese fixed their gaze to the floor and left the room, as any menial servant would act.
Lance sensed the tension and the evil presence, which suffocated any spark of light or happiness.
The Master stood with his back to Lance, staring into the burning fireplace.
"Ah, isn�t it a magnificent evening?"
Lance�s heart rate doubled speed. He wasn�t sure where this conversation was leading, but he still felt nervousness gripping him.
He noticed the ropes cutting into his wrists.
"Mmm!"
The monster before him cackled.
"Would you prefer I loosen those ropes?"
"Mmm-hmm."
"Well, in order for me to do your request, I�ll be forced to turn around. Do you want to see my face?"
Of course not!
"Mmm-hmm."
The soul-possessor faced his prisoner.
Lance�s skin paled to a sick milky white.
He didn�t have a face!
Just a dark void.
No eyes, ears, cheeks, nose, or mouth.
Just an empty void.
The Master laughed.
"Shocked, are we?"
Shocked was a major understatement.
"Really, don�t be. I can change my appearance as easily as you change socks."
The Master transformed into Chris. He spoke in Chris�s voice.
"How do you like me now?"
Lance wanted to vomit.
The entity mutated back into the faceless terror.
"Now Lance, listen carefully. I will untie you on one condition: you stay put. Remember, I have Lost Souls blocking the exits. If they find you attempting to leave, they will rip your head off. Got it?"
Lance gulped. "Mmm-hmm."
The Master untied the knots, allowing the ropes to fall to the rug. Next he yanked the gag out of his victim�s mouth.
Lance coughed, gagged, and licked his sore lips. He could still feel the ropes restraining him.
The evil entity slowly circled Lance.
"Now we begin �the Process�."
Lance shrank back into the chair.
"What�s the Process?"
The Master rubbed his hands together.
"Lance, am I mortal or immortal?"
"Considering you�ve plagued this town for 300 years, I�d say immortal."
"Correct. I have lived for over 6,000 years, which is quite long for a spirit such as myself. As I have grown older, I have also grown weaker."
Suddenly, the Master�s body metamorphosed.
Lance was gaping at a repulsive old man.
"This is how I really look like. Old and sick. Sure, I�ll stick around till the end of time, but I�m weak and near powerless."
"What does this have to do to me?"
"Simple. If any of the Lost Souls discovered I�m not as powerful as I used to be, then they�ll overrun me. I could lose superiority over this town, and I will never let that happen."
"How am I involved?"
"Lance, I need a new body. Someone younger, healthier, stronger. With a new body, my power will be rejuvenated. This body can no longer continue its earthly time. And you know what Lance? I�ve chosen you."